Restituted in January 2006 This work of art has been removed from the Museum's permanent collection. Learn more about The Met's collecting practices.
Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Silver-gilt pyxis (box) with lid
Greek, South Italian or Sicilian
Not on view
On underside of base, incised and punch-dotted inscriptions
The relief on the lid is rich in symbolic content. Eros crowns himself with a fillet while leaning on an inverted flaming torch, a motif that on Roman sarcophagi came to signify death. The subject of the relief could be interpreted as the triumph over death, or the promise of a happy afterlife.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.