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Limestone cippus base

ca. 500–450 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 170
A cippus is a large stone marker used by the Etruscans to establish a boundary or, more commonly, to mark the location of a tomb. The Etruscans produced several types of cippi. This example, the only one in the Museum's collection, is a cubic block that originally would have supported a large spherical, onion-shaped, or pointed stone. Each side of the block is carved with an identical scene showing symmetrically disposed horsemen. These almost certainly represent the twin gods, Castur and Pultuce (Roman: Castor and Pollux), among the most popular deities worshiped by the Etruscans. This type of cippus is closely associated with Chiusi, an important city in Central Italy.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Limestone cippus base
  • Period: late Archaic-Classical
  • Date: ca. 500–450 BCE
  • Culture: Etruscan, probably Chiusine
  • Medium: Limestone
  • Dimensions: H.: 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm)
    Other: 19 7/8 in. (50.5 cm)
  • Classification: Stone Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.78.28
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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late 6th century BCE
Marble stele (grave marker) of a woman, Marble, Greek, Attic
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mid-4th century BCE
Fragment of the marble stele (grave marker) of a hoplite (foot soldier), Marble, Hymettian, Greek, Attic
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Tufa head of sphinx or siren, Tufa, Etruscan, probably Vulcian
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ca. 550–525 BCE

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