Silver Bust of Serapis in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2007

Silver bust of Serapis
Roman, 2nd century AD

Accession # 1991.127

By the second century AD, Serapis had become one of the most popular deities in the Roman Empire. Many images of the god took the form of portrait busts, suitable for dedication or for private worship. Silver busts of Serapis are mentioned in an inscription found in Rome, but this is apparently the only extant example. The modius (grain basket) always shown on the god's head is now missing.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.