Cinerarium (lid) carved to imitate a constructed tomb in miniature
Gallery Location
Eaton Gallery of Rome: funerary customs-enclosed case
Medium
Marble
Geography
Attributed to Rome, Italy
Date
about 100 AD
Period
Roman Imperial period
Dimensions
7.7 x 23.5 x 22.2 cm
Object number
925.13.82.A
Credit Line
[Not required]
Cataloguer
Neda Leipen
ROM Staff, 1955-1986
Collection
Department
Art & Culture: Ancient Greece & Rome
Description
Cinerary Urns
Urns for holding the ashes of the dead might be carved in marble in imitation of an actual tomb in miniature, with an inscription naming the deceased person. Lead was also used to make urns because of its preservative qualities, and it was inexpensive. At times the cremated remains were stored in a glass cinerary urn, then placed in a lead container. Otherwise the ashes were simply buried in a ceramic jar.
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