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Sarcophagus lid

Italic, Etruscan
Late Etruscan (Hellenistic) Period
2nd or 1st century B.C.
Findspot: Italy, territory of Viterbo, necropolis of Musarna (Civita)

Medium/Technique Volcanic stone (peperino or tufa)
Dimensions Height x width x length: 63 x 58 x 210 cm (24 13/16 x 22 13/16 x 82 11/16 in.)
Credit Line Gift of the American Exploration Society
Accession Number00.683.2
NOT ON VIEW

Catalogue Raisonné Sculpture in Stone (MFA), no. 386.
DescriptionThe body of the sarcophagus has been broken into a number of sections requiring extensive repairs. Given the pitted and patinated qualities of the stone, the lid is in relatively excellent condition.

A man in an ample himation reclines on a pillow, a libation dish in his right hand. He resembles the famous obesus etruscus so popular in the last two centuries of Etruscan art, but he is in fact relatively slender, with an elongated body and a distorted chest. Much paint remains. Body, arm, hands, and dish have been colored brown, while the hair is a strong red and the cap with its rolled brim is a distinct yellow.
ProvenanceFrom the necropolis of (Cività) Musarna in the territory of Viterbo, on the bank of the River Leia, now part of the estate of Signor Alarico Piatti; gift of the American Exploration Society to MFA, December 1900