cista;
cosmetic-container
- Museum number
- 1814,0704.703
- Description
-
Bronze cista for cosmetic items. The feet of the vessel are formed of lion's paws surmounted by crouching lions, and there was originally a chain hung from a row of discs around the middle. The scenes engraved around the vessel have not been identified with certainty.
The lid is made up from pieces and does not belong to the vessel, and the rim is restored.
- Production date
-
3rdC BC
-
17th century (Lid, made up from pieces)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 35 centimetres
- Location
- On display (Room 1 - Enlightenment, Religions, Floor Case 20)
- Acquisition date
- 1814
- Acquisition notes
- Part of a group was acquired by James Byres from a silversmith who claimed that they had been found by a peasant on the site of the Temple of Fortuna Primigenia at Palestrina. However, they are in fact of different dates and probably from one or more tombs. Various alterations and additions had been made to the objects, perhaps by the silversmith. Byres sold them to Townley from whom they passed to the British Museum in 1814.
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1814,0704.703
