Terracotta lamp handle

Unknown

2nd century CE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Zeus Serapis, enthroned, holds a scepter in his left hand and rests his right hand on the head of Cerberos, the guard dog of Hades. Since the Roman Serapis is equated with Osiris, the Egyptian god of the Underworld, it seems appropriate to pair him with another representative of Hades, Cerberos. The association between the Greek god Zeus and the Egyptian god Serapis descends from Ptolemaic cult and highlights Serapis as a guarantor of royal power.

Artist

Unknown

Date

2nd century CE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917