Details
A ROMAN MARBLE SARCOPHAGUS WITH A DIONYSIAC VINTAGE FESTIVAL, the frontal frieze carved in relief showing a grape gathering and wine making scene, to the left erotes climb the vines, one ascending on a ladder with a pannier on his back, to pick the grape bunches which hang down in profusion, another catches them in his outspread cloak, the grapes are put in baskets and then tipped into a long basin on the right which is ornamented on the side with three lion-headed masks connected by a vine tendril, three winged erotes trample on the grapes while holding hands, in the branches of the vine are two birds, while on the ground is a dog, tortoise and a mouse, on the left a young child playing with animals, on the right a reclining figure, flanking the scene are two massive lion heads, each holding a fluted ring in its open mouth, with deeply drilled luxuriant mane, the two ends of the sarcophagus decorated with strigilar design, repaired, second half of 3rd Century A.D.
23½in. (60cm.) high, 74¾in. (90cm.) long
Resting on two standing lions with thick manes and tails curled under, their inner sides squared off, one forepaw missing, after the Antique
17¾in. (45cm.) high, 23½in. (60cm.) long average
