altar
- Museum number
- 1805,0703.176
- Description
-
Marble altar decorated with ears of corn and fruit; probably dedicated to Ceres, goddess of harvests. The cornice is restored.
- Production date
- 1stC
- Dimensions
-
Height: 45.72 centimetres
-
Width: 40.64 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Cook 2011, nr. 225:
‘A Sepulchral urn about sixteen inches square, richly ornamented on all sides, with the mystical plants and animals, wh are usually found on funereal monuments, and are allusive to the destroying and renovative powers of the Supreme deity. It was brought from Rome by the late Mr Lyde Browne, who gave it to the present possessor’ (Parlour Catalogue owned by Simon Townley, park drawing room 7).
In spite of the last statement, it was probably given to Townley by Lyde Browne in Rome in 1777, since in that year Townley paid 4.10 Scudi in Rome ‘To Albacini for making a cover to ye cinerary with ears of corn’ (TY 8/51, cf. Albacini’s bill, TY 8/107).
Date:
I AD (Webster).
Drawings:
* Townley drawing 2010,5006.235.
Bibliography:
- Synopsis of the Contents of the British Museum (1808), VI.87;
- A Guide to the Graeco-Roman Sculptures in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, 2 vols. (London, 1874 [1892] and 1876), II, no. 110;
- A. H. Smith, A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Vol. III (London 1904), 389-90, no. 2492, fig. 64;
- T. B. L. Webster, New Comedy (London, 19692), 212, no. IS8.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1805
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1805,0703.176
