Marble sarcophagus with garlands
The back and cover of this sarcophagus are unfinished, and its inscription tablet is blank, which may imply that it went unsold in antiquity. Garlands of oak leaves supported by two erotes and four Victories adorn the front and sides. Medusa heads fill the spaces above the garlands, except in the center of the front, where there is the blank inscription tablet. Six erotes hunt various wild animals along the front face of the cover, while two others stand at the corners. On the left end, Eros awakens Psyche with an arrow, and on the right, they embrace.
Artwork Details
- Title: Marble sarcophagus with garlands
- Period: Severan
- Date: ca. 200–225 CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Marble, Proconnesian
- Dimensions: Overall: 53 x 88in. (134.6 x 223.5cm)
- Classification: Stone Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Abdo Debbas, 1870
- Object Number: 70.1
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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