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Marble cinerary chest with lid

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Eros, God of Love

Eros, God of Love
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Marble cinerary chest with lid

Period:
Imperial, Flavian or Trajanic
Date:
ca. A.D. 90–110
Culture:
Roman
Medium:
Marble
Dimensions:
H. with cover 21 3/8 in. (54.3 cm)
Classification:
Stone Sculpture
Credit Line:
Fletcher Fund, 1927
Accession Number:
27.122.2a, b

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 162

  • Description

    The Latin inscription reads: "To the spirits of the dead. M. Domitius Primigenius made [this] for himself, his freedmen and freedwomen, and their descendants." Above is a scene in which the deceased, standing on a pedestal, making an offering to a female figure, perhaps Tellus (mother earth), who reclines on a couch bedecked with flowers. They are attended by two young servants, holding food and wine. The chest is in the form of a pedimental building, with flaming torches taking the place of columns at the corners.

  • Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

    Inscription: The Latin inscription on the front of the chest reads: To the manes (spirits of the dead) M. Domitius Primigenius made [this] for himself, his freedmen and freedwomen, and their descendants.

  • References

    Alexander, Christine. 1928. "A Roman Cinerary Urn". Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art 23(8): 200-1, figs. 1-2.

    Sinn, Friederike. 1987. Stadtromische Marmorurnen. Mainz: von Zabern, no. 458, p. 201, pls. 71c, d.

    Newby, Z. and Leader-Newby, R., eds. 2007. Art and Inscriptions in the Ancient World. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 52-53.

    Picón, Carlos A., et al. 2007. Art of the Classical World in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, no. 423, pp. 364, 488.

  • See also
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    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
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