Roman
Cinerarium or Grave Altar, about 27 BCE - 68 CE
Pentelic marble, 59.7 x 35.6 x 28.6 cm (23 1/2 x 14 x 11 1/4 in.)
This Roman cinerarium is made of white marble. It is square on the top and bottom and rectangular on the sides, and taller than it is wide. The front is decorated with a thick garland composed of fruit, flowers and leaves. The garland is tied to cow skulls, which straddle the two sides near the top. The garland falls downward from their mouths in a semicircle. Above the garland in the center a dog is attacking a long-eared rabbit. At the bottom in the center, two birds face each other and pull at the garland’s ribbon. On the lower corners two swans stand, wings open, breasts puffed outward and necks craned backwards to sample some of the fruit in the garland. The cinerarium rests on a simple graduated base and has a flat top with rounded edges.
Courtyard
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.