Casket with Erotes and Animals

Unknown

12th century · Bone plaques and ornamental strips over wooden casket with silk lining; copper handle, clasps, lock plate, and nails · Medieval Art

In scenes recalling antiquity, two panels on the lid of this casket show erotes (nude children), fighting (left) and playing music (right). The style of the animals represented on the four sides suggests that the carving was done by Italian artists drawing on Byzantine models.

Artist

Unknown

Date

12th century

Medium

Bone plaques and ornamental strips over wooden casket with silk lining; copper handle, clasps, lock plate, and nails

Culture

Italian or Byzantine

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917