Etruscan Limestone Cippus Base in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 2011

Title: Limestone cippus base

Medium; Technique: Limestone

Culture: Etruscan, probably Chiusine

Period: late Archaic-Classical

Date: ca. 500–450 B.C.

Dimensions: H.: 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm) Other: 19 7/8 in. (50.5 cm)

Classification: Stone Sculpture

Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1925

Accession Number: 25.78.28


Description:

A cippus is a large stone marker used by the Etruscans to establish a boundary or, more commonly, to mark the location of a tomb. The Etruscans produced several types of cippi. This example, the only one in the Museum's collection, is a cubic block that originally would have supported a large spherical, onion-shaped, or pointed stone. Each side of the block is carved with an identical scene showing symmetrically disposed horsemen. These almost certainly represent the twin gods, Castur and Pultuce (Roman: Castor and Pollux), among the most popular deities worshiped by the Etruscans. This type of cippus is closely associated with Chiusi, an important city in Central Italy.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/greek_...