A Roman funerary urn (cinerarium) with pilasters in the form of dolphins at the front corners with a garland between, and separate lid.
69-96 AD
Flavian, according to Vermeule and Sinn.
Flavian, according to Vermeule and Sinn.
Grey Greek island marble
Height: 25cm
Height (excluding lid): 18.5cm
Width (lid): 26.5cm
Length (lid): 19cm
Height (excluding lid): 18.5cm
Width (lid): 26.5cm
Length (lid): 19cm
Inscription: DIS MANIBVS / D. POSTIMIO CLEMENTI / FEC. D. POSTIMIVS / CASTVS PATRI. B. M.
Dis Manibus D[ecio/Decimo] Postimio Clementi fec(it) D[ecius/Decimus] Postimius Castus patri b[ene] m[erenti]
Inscription marks: Lines 1-2, 4: lettercutter’s guidelines visible.
Lines 1-2: 11mm; Lines 3-4: 10mm.
Inscription note: Line 2: ligature NT
The fact that Dis Manibus is written out in full rather than being abbreviated suggests a first century A.D. date.
We are grateful to Dr. Charlotte Tupman, a scholar of epigraphy (the study of inscriptions) undertaking postdoctoral research at King’s College London, who took squeezes of the inscriptions on antiquities in the Museum in 2007, for her transliteration, translation and notes/bibliography of the inscription on this piece.
Inscription translation: To the spirits of the departed. To Decius/Decimus Postimius Clemens, Decius/Decimus Postimius Castus set it up for his well-deserving father.
Dis Manibus D[ecio/Decimo] Postimio Clementi fec(it) D[ecius/Decimus] Postimius Castus patri b[ene] m[erenti]
Inscription marks: Lines 1-2, 4: lettercutter’s guidelines visible.
Lines 1-2: 11mm; Lines 3-4: 10mm.
Inscription note: Line 2: ligature NT
The fact that Dis Manibus is written out in full rather than being abbreviated suggests a first century A.D. date.
We are grateful to Dr. Charlotte Tupman, a scholar of epigraphy (the study of inscriptions) undertaking postdoctoral research at King’s College London, who took squeezes of the inscriptions on antiquities in the Museum in 2007, for her transliteration, translation and notes/bibliography of the inscription on this piece.
Inscription translation: To the spirits of the departed. To Decius/Decimus Postimius Clemens, Decius/Decimus Postimius Castus set it up for his well-deserving father.
Museum number: S139
Vermeule catalogue number: Vermeule 336
On display: Study
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