Caption

Urn of Gnaeus Pedanius Callistus with Latin inscription, unknown Roman workshop. A cylindrical urn placed on a smooth plinth and a convex base. Its shape and decoration resemble a fragment of a column shaft, tapering towards the top. Entire surface decorated with S-shaped fluting strigillea, closed at top and bottom by a narrow frame. In the central part, slightly closer to the cornice than the base, is a tabula ansata with open handles containing the inscription. Inside the urn a deep niche for ashes was carved out with a chisel. The opening is topped by a molding decorated with radially arranged grooves. The place where the lid was attached is visible. Lid: missing; comparable example with original conical lid suggests this urn likely had a similar conical or possibly domed lid. Inscription letters height 15 cm. Dating: beginning of the 3rd century previously late 2nd–3rd century AD. Probable findspot: Rome, Roman Empire 27 BC–476. Function: funerary urn. Weight 121.5 kg., A cylindrical stone object with a hollow top and a textured rim sits against a plain gray background; the surface of the cylinder is carved with a repeated swirling, wave-like pattern and a raised rectangular plaque with a stepped triangular projection on one side; the stone appears weathered with rough inner hollows and smoother carved surfaces, showing shades of light gray, off-white, and pale beige.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A00_488

License type

Rights managed

Available size

68.7Mb (2.2Mb) / 13.3in x 20.0in / 4000 x 6000 (300dpi)

Keywords

Urn Gnaeus Pedanius Callistus Latin inscription unknown Roman workshop cylindrical urn placed smooth plinth convex base shape decoration resemble fragment column shaft tapering towards top Entire surface decorated S-shaped fluting strigillea closed bottom narrow frame central part slightly closer cornice base tabula ansata open handles containing inscription Inside urn deep niche ashes was carved chisel opening topped molding decorated radially arranged grooves place lid attached visible Lid missing comparable example original conical lid conical domed lid Inscription letters height 15 cm Dating 3rd century previously late 2nd–3rd century AD Probable findspot Rome Roman Empire 27 BC–476 Function funerary urn Weight 121.5 kg cylindrical stone object hollow top textured rim sits plain gray background surface cylinder repeated swirling wave- pattern raised rectangular plaque stepped triangular projection side stone weathered rough inner hollows smoother surfaces showing shades light gray off-white pale beige.