Sarcophagus with Griffins

Description Carved in relief on this sarcophagus, panther-griffins face one another, each raising a paw towards a central vase-like object used in the cult of Dionysus Sabazius. The motif is well known from imperial temples, where it appears as a symbol of deification and ascension to heaven. This imperial allusion reflects the high aspirations of the family to whom the tomb belongs. Along the lid, Eros figures ride fantastical sea-creatures.

Conservation

Cleaned to remove modern graffiti

Date	Description	Narrative
6/23/1961	Treatment	cleaned
7/20/1970	Treatment	cleaned
1/01/1992	Technical Report	x-ray diffraction; other
6/23/1998	Examination	condition
10/12/2015	Treatment	Cleaned

Exhibitions

• Things With Wings: Mythological Figures in Ancient Greek Art. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2005-2006.

Provenance [Excavated from the so-called Licinian tomb, via Piave, Rome, 1885]; Clemente Maraini, 1885, by excavation; Don Marcello Massarenti, Rome, by 1897, by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1902, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters with the Massarenti Collection, 1902