Marble cinerary urn with lid
Unknown Artist
ca. 10 BCE–10 CE
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
H. 9 11/16 in. (24.6 cm) diameter 12 7/16 in. (31.6 cm)
Classification
Stone Sculpture
Culture & Period
Roman · Early Imperial
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Frederick E. Guest, 1937
Accession Number
37.129a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant marble cinerary urn with lid, dating to the Early Imperial Roman period (ca. 10 BCE–10 CE), served as a vessel for cremated ashes, reflecting the widespread Roman practice of cremation during the late Republic and early Empire. Standing just under 10 inches tall with a 12-inch diameter, its compact size suggests it was designed for personal or household use likely honoring a loved one in a domestic shrine or columbarium. Crafted from fine marble—a prized material for its durability and luminous quality—this urn exemplifies the Roman mastery of stone sculpture, where artisans skill...