Caption

Children's sarcophagus with a depiction of griffins, The lid is shaped like a roof with tympanums; the longer frontal side is decorated with two garlands attached to three bucranions placed symmetrically at the sides and in the middle. On the shorter sides, between the tympanums, are double rosettes with ribbons. In the center of the front wall is a candelabrum topped with a head in the shape of a leaf. On either side of the candelabrum are symmetrically arranged winged griffins with lion heads, additionally decorated with ram's horns; both fantastical animals drink from goblets handed to them by naked boys placed symmetrically at the edges of the sarcophagus. The boys pour an unidentified drink from jugs held in their right or left hands. The side walls depict griffins in a sitting position with one paw resting on a recumbent ram's head. Iconographically, the griffins follow types traceable to Greek archaic art, reappearing on Roman sarcophagi and urns as guardians ensuring the peace of the deceased. Dating: Hadrianic period 117–138 AD. Origin: Roman Empire. Material/type: osteotheca, sarcophagus. Dimensions: height 33 cm, width 68 cm, depth 29 cm; weight 94 kg., A carved stone rectangular box with a lid, rendered in pale gray and off-white tones with areas of darker gray weathering; the sides show a continuous relief band featuring winged lion-like creatures and a few cherubic figures interacting with the animals, all carved in the same stone color; the lid has a raised border with carved braided motifs and rounded corner details, while the base sits on a molded plinth with subtle shadowed recesses; overall the surface shows smooth worn areas and rougher textured sections where carving details remain visible.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A17_426

License type

Rights managed

Available size

66.9Mb (2.9Mb) / 20.0in x 13.0in / 6000 x 3897 (300dpi)

Keywords

Children's sarcophagus depiction griffins lid shaped roof tympanums longer frontal side decorated two garlands attached three bucranions placed symmetrically sides middle shorter sides double rosettes ribbons center front wall candelabrum topped head shape leaf side candelabrum arranged winged griffins lion heads additionally decorated ram's horns fantastical animals drink goblets handed them naked boys edges sarcophagus boys pour drink jugs held right left hands side walls depict sitting position paw resting recumbent ram's head Iconographically griffins follow types traceable Greek archaic art reappearing Roman sarcophagi urns guardians ensuring peace deceased Dating Hadrianic period 117–138 AD Origin Roman Empire Material type osteotheca Dimensions height 33 cm width 68 cm depth 29 cm weight 94 kg carved stone rectangular box rendered pale gray off-white tones areas darker gray weathering continuous relief band featuring winged lion- creatures cherubic figures interacting animals carved stone color raised border braided motifs rounded corner details base sits molded plinth subtle shadowed recesses surface smooth worn areas rougher textured sections carving details remain visible.