Ossuary in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 2019

Limestone ossuary with lid,ca. 1st century B.C–1st century A.D.


Object Details

Period: Late Hellenistic or Early Imperial

Date: ca. 1st century B.C–1st century A.D.

Culture: Roman

Medium: Limestone, paint

Dimensions: Lid: 12 1/4 × 12 × 25 in., 5.8 lb. (31.1 × 30.5 × 63.5 cm, 2639.935g)
Body: 16 3/4 × 12 × 23 1/2 in., 5.9 lb. (42.5 × 30.5 × 59.7 cm, 2.7 kg)
Height: 10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm)

Classification: Stone Sculpture

Credit Line: Museum Accession

Accession Number: X.248.11a, b

Despite the use of a similar rosette design, this ossuary differs from the other displayed in the case to the left in that its decoration is carved in relief and still retains traces of its original red paint. It has a Greek inscription identifying two individuals whose bones it contained. Their names are Philoutarion and Annios, suggesting that they may have been Hellenized Jews.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/256777