Carnelian intaglio: Serapis-Hades with Kerberos

1st century BCE–3rd century CE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 169

Serapis in the guise of Pluto stands with the three-headed Cerberus by his side. The gem is inscribed in Greek: Zeus Serapis is [the] one [god].

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

References

Title: Carnelian intaglio: Serapis-Hades with Kerberos
Period: Late Republican or Imperial
Date: 1st century BCE–3rd century CE
Culture: Roman
Medium: Carnelian
Dimensions: H.: 11/16 x 7/16 in. (1.7 x 1.1 cm)
Classification: Gems
Credit Line: Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881
Object Number: 81.6.58
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

Carnelian ring stone, Carnelian, Roman — Carnelian ring stone
Roman
2nd century BCE–3rd century CE

Marble portrait of the emperor Caracalla, Marble, Roman — Marble portrait of the emperor Caracalla
Roman
212–217 CE

Marble portrait head of the Emperor Constantine I, Marble, Roman — Marble portrait head of the Emperor Constantine I
Roman
ca. 325–370 CE

Carnelian oval set in a gold ring, Carnelian, gold, Greek — Carnelian oval set in a gold ring
Greek
late 1st century BCE

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.