Gilt-silver ceremonial box lid

Period: Early Imperial, Augustan

Date: late 1st century B.C. or later

Culture: Roman

Medium: Silver gilt

Dimensions: H. 1 in. (2.5 cm)
width 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm)
depth 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm)

Classification: Gold and Silver

Credit Line: Purchase, Marguerite and Frank A. Cosgrove Jr. Fund and Mr. and Mrs. Christos G. Bastis Gift, 2000

Accession Number: 2000.26

Description

The lid is decorated in high relief with sacrificial animals and religious objects. Featured prominently are the heads of three domestic animals—a ram, a bull, and a goat—that were commonly used as offerings at major public ceremonies. The decoration is unusual, but there is a close parallel in the Berlin Museum.

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