Vatican Museums (Vatican City), Cast of front and side of an un-inscribed cinerarium

Cast of front and side of an un-inscribed cinerarium

From: Vatican Museums (Vatican City)

RA Collection: Art

The cast reproduces a cinerarium or cinerary urn of the first half of the first century AD. It is now in the Vatican, in the Galleria dei Candelabri, inv. 2383 (H: 23, W: 33, D: 27.5).

The name of the deceased was probably painted on the panel. The front and sides show motifs typical of Roman funerary art. The natural bounty and festivity of the garland suggest both a special sacred moment and one that passes. The torch at the back also indicates a special occasion and the darkness of the underworld. The hungry birds, representatives of oblivious and needy nature, are also commonplace.

This cast was probably part of the collection of Thomas Lawrence sold at auction on 10 May 1830 and acquired by the Royal Academy.

Object details

Title
Cast of front and side of an un-inscribed cinerarium
From
Object type
Cast Sculpture
Medium
Plaster cast, late 18th or early 19th century
Dimensions

320 mm x 470 mm x 260 mm

Collection
Royal Academy of Arts
Object number
04/2841
Acquisition
Purchased from Sir Thomas Lawrence PRA in 1830
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