Cylindrical Box with Chain
Unknown Artist
3rd–4th century
Medium
Copper alloy
Dimensions
Overall: 3 9/16 x 1 5/16 x 1 1/8 in. (9 x 3.3 x 2.8 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Bronze
Culture
Late Roman
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.193.9
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Cylindrical Box with Chain crafted in the 3rd–4th century during the Late Roman period, exemplifies the exquisite metalworking skills of the era. Made from copper alloy—a material often referred to as bronze—this compact object measures just 3 9/16 x 1 5/16 x 1 1/8 inches, small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. The attached chain suggests it was designed for portability, perhaps worn as a pendant or carried for personal use, highlighting the Romans' blend of functionality and elegance in everyday luxury items. In the waning centuries of the Roman Empire, such metalwork repr...