Object Information
Accession Number:
2021.19.1
Object Title:
Marble cinerary urn in the form of a tree stump with leaves and grapes
Measurements:
H: 11 ¼ in. (28.6 cm)
Creation Date:
ca. 1st century A.D.
Credit Line:
Gift of John J. Medveckis in honor of Emily Rafferty and in celebration of the Museum's 150th Anniversary, 2021
Museum Name:
Museum Contact:
provenance.research@metmuseum.org
Culture:
Country of Origin:
Object Type:
Materials/ Techniques:
Museum's Definition of Antiquity:
Created before the fall of the Roman Empire (476 AD)
Provenance Information:
By 1963, collection of Giorgio Sangiorgi (1887-1965), Rome, Italy and Monaco; 1965 – 2001, by descent to his son Sergio Sangiorgi, Monaco; December 6, 2001, acquired by John Medveckis, purchased from Sergio Sangiorgi through Christie’s, New York (lot 596); 2001 – present, collection of John Medveckis, Philadelphia; 2007 – present, on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (displayed in the Roman Court, MMA L.2007.1.1)
Exhibition Information:
The object has been on display in the Roman Imperial Court (Gallery 162) since 2007.
Publication Information:
Christie’s, New York in the sale of December 6, 2001, p. 224, lot 596.
Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970:
Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008
Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above:
The marble cinerary urn has been on loan and on display in the galleries since 2007. In addition, research into its provenance has traced the object’s history back to 1963, when it was in the collection of Giorgio Sangiorgi (1887-1965), Rome and Monaco, by descent to his son Sergio Sangiorgi, of Monaco. We understand the Senior Sangiorgi emigrated to Monaco before his death. The object was likely produced in Italy. Cinerary urns with elaborately carved foliate designs are widespread in Early Imperial Rome and other major Roman-period cities in Italy. While a tree trump is not a common shape, urns of this period frequently imitated other media and shapes in marble.