ticketsMember | Make a donation

Lid and end panels of a lead sarcophagus

late 2nd–mid 3rd century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 162
This coffin has been attributed to a workshop at Tyre on the grounds of its decorative elements and the fact that the two end panels have different designs—one a temple façade, and the other a star pattern of rosettes. The motifs were impressed into the lead with stamps, often used repeatedly. Although all of the sarcophagus (apart from its base) has survived, the lead is now too brittle and delicate to allow a complete reconstruction.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Lid and end panels of a lead sarcophagus
  • Period: Late Imperial
  • Date: late 2nd–mid 3rd century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Lead
  • Dimensions: Overall: 18 3/4 x 63 3/4 x 17 1/4 in. (47.6 x 161.9 x 43.8 cm)
  • Classification: Miscellaneous-Lead
  • Credit Line: Gift of The Kevorkian Foundation, 1965
  • Object Number: 65.148a–f
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Marble sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysos and the Seasons, Marble, Roman
Marble sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysos and the Seasons
Roman
ca. 260–270 CE
Marble sarcophagus with garlands, Marble, Proconnesian, Roman
Marble sarcophagus with garlands
Roman
ca. 200–225 CE
Bronze plaque of Mithras slaying the bull, Bronze, Roman
Bronze plaque of Mithras slaying the bull
Roman
mid-2nd–early 3rd century CE
Bronze statue of the emperor Trebonianus Gallus, Bronze, Roman
Bronze statue of the emperor Trebonianus Gallus
Roman
251–253 CE
Gilded bronze mirror with the Three Graces, Bronze, silver, gold, speculum, Roman
Gilded bronze mirror with the Three Graces
Roman
mid-2nd century CE

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.