Roman
Rectangular Cinerary Urn, 50-81
Pentelic marble, 18.4 x 30.5 x 23.5 cm (7 1/4 x 12 x 9 1/4 in.)
This small funeral urn is carved from fine white marble in a rectangular shape. Only the front panel is carved and highly polished. On each of the top corners on the front there is a carved ram’s head. The rams have large, spiraling horns but their eyes are closed and their faces seem relaxed. They flank a rectangular text box with a plain border and inscription. A garland of carved leaves and flowers in bas relief forms a U shape that connects the rams’ necks. It forms a nest for a pair of carved birds that face each other under the inscription box. The head of the bird on our left is seen above the head of the bird on our right. Each bird has a large morsel of food in its beak.
Chinese Loggia
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.