Pair of terracotta plaques with glass inlays

Unknown

late 4th century BCE · Terracotta, glass · Greek and Roman Art

The Homeric sea monster Scylla raises her right hand and holds a ship’s rudder in her left. Similar terracotta plaques, which are sometimes gilt, are known to have been used to decorate funerary klinai (couches) placed in Hellenistic tombs. Funerary klinai decorated with reliefs of ivory, gold, and glass have also been discovered in the fourth century B.C. tombs of the Macedonian kings at Vergina.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 4th century BCE

Medium

Terracotta, glass

Culture

Greek, South Italian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Purchase, Sandra Brue Gift, 1998