Roman Marble and Bronze Table in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 2011

Marble and bronze table

Period: Early Imperial

Date: 1st century A.D.

Culture: Roman

Medium: Marble and bronze

Dimensions: Other: 32 x 25 3/4 x 41 3/4 in. (81.3 x 65.4 x 106 cm)

Classification: Stone Sculpture

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906

Accession Number: 06.1021.301

Description:

Rooms in Roman houses were largely devoid of furniture, and instead, much more emphasis was given to the display of works of art--mosaic floors, wall paintings, and freestanding bronze and marble sculpture. This unusual table with its elaborate bronze and marble support would certainly have been appropriate in such a context. It was probably used in the public part of a wealthy Roman’s villa or town house, such as the atrium (entrance hall), to exhibit a particularly fine work of art or a set of expensive metal or glass vessels. The bronze frame to the marble tabletop is richly decorated with silver and copper inlay, but as it stands today, much of the leg and base is restored.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/1300...