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A Roman funerary urn (cinerarium) with a rectangular name plate between lighted torches
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A Roman funerary urn (cinerarium) with a rectangular name plate between lighted torches
Mid 1st century to late 1st century AD
Fine-grained Greek mainland marble
Height (excluding slab): 17cm
Width (lid): 30cm
Length (lid): 20cm
Width (lid): 30cm
Length (lid): 20cm
Museum number: M410
Vermeule catalogue number: Vermeule 325
On display: Catacombs
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
The large name plate on this urn is between two broad fillets enriched with wave-pattern incised lines and framed in a three element moulding, and is inscribed:
DIS MANIBVS
SACRVM
C·TVRRANIO THREPTO
LICTORI·VIXIT·ANNIS·LXX
C·TVRRANIVS THALLVS
POSVIT·PATRONOS VOBENEMER
The family from which this Caius Terranius Threptus took his name was distinguished in early Imperial history and civic affairs. A.C. Turranius Threptus was Praefectus Annonae from 14 to 48 AD and is mentioned by both Tacitus and Seneca.1 His father was Praefectus in Egypt under Augustus a decade before. This urn should be dates from the middle to the later first century AD.
The dominant motive of this type of cinerary urn front is the two upright lighted torches in the corner recesses either side of the name plate.2
1 Seneca, Dialogues, X. 20, 3.
2 See W. Altmann, Dir römischen Grabaltäre der Kaiserzeit, Berlin, 1905 , "Verwendung von Fackeln, Dreifüssen, Kandelabern and Palmen". Chapter X, esp. no.110, fig.92.
DIS MANIBVS
SACRVM
C·TVRRANIO THREPTO
LICTORI·VIXIT·ANNIS·LXX
C·TVRRANIVS THALLVS
POSVIT·PATRONOS VOBENEMER
The family from which this Caius Terranius Threptus took his name was distinguished in early Imperial history and civic affairs. A.C. Turranius Threptus was Praefectus Annonae from 14 to 48 AD and is mentioned by both Tacitus and Seneca.1 His father was Praefectus in Egypt under Augustus a decade before. This urn should be dates from the middle to the later first century AD.
The dominant motive of this type of cinerary urn front is the two upright lighted torches in the corner recesses either side of the name plate.2
1 Seneca, Dialogues, X. 20, 3.
2 See W. Altmann, Dir römischen Grabaltäre der Kaiserzeit, Berlin, 1905 , "Verwendung von Fackeln, Dreifüssen, Kandelabern and Palmen". Chapter X, esp. no.110, fig.92.
Literature
CIL, VI, I, 1912.
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk