Gold statuette of Zeus Serapis

2nd century CE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 169

Serapis was essentially a construct of the Ptolemaic Greek rulers of Egypt, a conflation of the local gods Osiris and Apis. Although gradually subsumed into the all-pervading cult of Isis, Serapis was worshipped throughout the Roman world in the guise of Zeus, ruler of the heavens, or that of Hades, god of the Underworld. This small figure wears the Egyptian modius (grain measure) headdress and carries a cornucopia (horn of plenty) to symbolize a plentiful food supply.

Artwork Details

Overview

References

Title: Gold statuette of Zeus Serapis
Period: Mid-Imperial
Date: 2nd century CE
Culture: Roman
Medium: Gold
Dimensions: H.: 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)
Classification: Gold and Silver
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Frank Knox, 1953
Object Number: 53.191.2
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

In the same gallery

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

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

Marble statue of Eirene (the personification of peace), Kephisodotos, Marble, Pentelic ?, Roman — Marble statue of Eirene (the personification of peace)
Kephisodotos
ca. 14–68 CE

Fragments of a marble statue of the Diadoumenos (youth tying a fillet around his head), Polykleitos, Marble, Roman — Fragments of a marble statue of the Diadoumenos (youth tying a fillet around his head)
Polykleitos
ca. 69–96 CE

Marble statue of an old woman, Marble, Pentelic, Roman — Marble statue of an old woman
Roman
14–68 CE

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.