Eros Bone Plaque in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 2011

Plaque with an Eros

Date: 4th–5th century

Geography: Made in, Byzantine Egypt

Culture: Coptic

Medium: Bone, traces of red and blue paint

Dimensions: Overall: 3 9/16 x 2 3/8 x 3/16 in. (9.1 x 6 x 0.4 cm)

Classification: Ivories

Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Kelekian, 1978

Accession Number: 1978.431

Description:

Bone plaques were used to decorate couches, chests, and other furniture. Some were carved in relief; others were carved in intaglio with the incised designs often filled with colored wax. Both styles could be used on the same object. The designs frequently represent Dionysiac themes.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/1700...