Etruscan
Cinerarium or Grave Altar, about 150 BCE
Terracotta with traces of white slip on lid, 31.1 x 30.8 x 15.9 cm (12 1/4 x 12 1/8 x 6 1/4 in.)
This cinerarium is composed of a horizontal rectangular box and a removable lid, both made of terracotta with traces of white slip on the lid. The carving on the front of the box depicts a combat scene with four figures, though the cinerarium is very worn and the details of the scene are murky. On the very right is a figure mostly hidden behind a shield. To the left of that figure is a soldier facing away from the viewer raising a spear and pointing it toward the figure in the lower left of the composition, who is crouching down with a shield aimed against the spear. Behind the crouching figure is another standing figure who is facing towards our right holding a club with their cape flowing behind them. The top lid depicts a carving of a reclining robed figure. Their upper torso rests on a pillow and their head is slightly raised and oriented toward the front. Their features and hair are detailed. The back and sides of the urn are plain.
Raphael Room
Commentary
This small cinerary urn, made to hold the cremated remains of the deceased, is decorated with a motif common to the art of ancient Etruria—a scene of combat between the Athenians and Persians.
Discovered at the archaeological site of Chiusi, in present day Tuscany, it would have originally been painted and inscribed with the name of the deceased. Although the inscription is now lost, the lid offers some insight into the identity of the deceased, as it was common practice to include their likeness reclining on the lid.