Etrucan Cinerary Urn Lid

Alabaster

220-180 BCE

SMB

Details

Culture/Civilisation

Etruscan

Theme

Ancient Societies

Subtheme

Death in Ancient Greece and Rome - Timeless practices

Case Title

Funerary Rituals

Display Location

Coomaraswamy Hall

Findspot

Chiusi, Italy

Measurements

73 x 40 x 31 cm

Accession Number

SK 1284

Description

On the lids of Etruscan funerary urns, the deceased recline at an eternal banquet. Here, the relief recounts the death of Myrtilus, a divine hero — evidence of cultural as much as religious aspiration. Ash-chests like this were produced in large numbers and put in underground family tombs that mimicked the homes of the living.

Related Objects

Etruscan Cinerary Urn

Amphora (wine jar)

Loutrophoros (funerary vessel)

Mummy-Mask