Although this mosaic now stands as a wall within the Roman gallery, it originally formed part of a large house floor in one of the ancient Roman cities in Tunisia, probably Utica. The panel is over 2 m long and 1.3 m wide, and is dominated by a meander pattern composed of interlocking squares. [...]
This heavy bronze cuirass served as a warrior’s chest protector. Only the front part survives of what was originally a cuirass made of two pieces fastened at the shoulders and sides. The surface is decorated with a raised geometric pattern of rows of triangles and dots. The elements of the pattern meet at a [...]
This barrel-shaped vessel dates to the Cypro-Archaic I period, between ca. 750-600 BCE, and is from the island of Cyprus. A fine example of the pottery style known as Bichrome IV, this unusual shape is decorated with a bold stylized bird flanked by rosette and lotus motifs painted in the black and brownish-red colors [...]
The Etruscans buried their dead in stone and terracotta sarcophagi that were often elaborately decorated. This carved Etruscan nenfro (a type of volcanic stone) sarcophagus is one of five in the Museum’s collection. The piece dates to the 3rd century BC and comes from a tomb excavated at the site of Civita Musarna, Italy in [...]
Crumb duster, lip tickler, ‘mo – call it what you will, mustaches are an ever-present sight throughout human history. Since November is also Movember (a movement to promote awareness of Prostate and Testicular cancer), we decided to get in the mustachioed spirit and post an image a day of some of our favorite mustaches (with [...]
This limestone mortuary sculpture is from the ancient city of Palmyra in modern-day central Syria. Michael Danti dates this ornate statue to the 3rd century CE, a time when the city of Palmyra flourished under Roman rule as an important nexus of trade between the East and West. After Syria was established as a Roman [...]
This rhyton, decorated with six leaping dolphins against a rocky seascape, is an example of the Marine Style in Minoan pottery. It has a hole at the bottom and may have been used for libations. The lively Marine Style, with its depictions of dolphins, octopi, and other sea creatures amid rocks and seaweed, [...]
Today’s object is only a fragment of a quiver that has been broken at the top. It is coated in a very dark green patina with a lighter, rough interior. The upper right hand corner of the inside has an area of red corrosion. This hints that a metal object may have come in [...]
This Etruscan Commander’s Helmet was found in Narce, Italy, Tomb 43, as one of two found buried with the same warrior. The helmet is made from two sheets of hammered bronze, held together with large protruding rivets. It is decorated with lines and dots of various sizes that line the borders. As an incredible feature, [...]
This Roman oinochoe dates around 350 CE. An oinochoe is a wine jug usually made from ceramic materials. Although the Romans had nothing to do with the invention of glass, which occurred around 2200 BCE in northwestern Iran, they did play a primary role in the industrialization of the glassmaking process in the Mediterranean world [...]
