b- TEST A ROMAN MARBLE CINERARY URN

Essay

During the Roman Republic and continuing into the early Imperial period, cremation was the most common method for dealing with mortal remains. The ashes were interred in vessels of various materials, depending on economic status, ranging from wood to clay to glass to stone. The urns were frequently placed in columbaria, subterranean vaults with rows of niches. Stone urns were usually of marble but sometimes more exotic materials were used, such as porphyry, granite or alabaster. The most common shapes for the marble examples were square, usually with a pedimented lid, or cylindrical, with a conical lid. Both types were frequently sculpted with elaborate relief decoration, and often the front would have an inscribed plaque identifying the deceased and his or her affiliations. The decoration anticipates what would come to be employed on sarcophagi beginning in the 2nd century A.D., when inhumation replaced cremation.

Another considerably rarer type of marble urn takes the form of a vase, either squat or ovoid in form, as here. On the exquisite urn presented here, the entire surface is richly ornamented in shallow relief. The shoulder features garlanded ox skulls (bucrania) while the body depicts floral motifs and fruit laden trays flanked by birds with outstretched wings. Above the foot are radiating tongues and the twin handles take the form of bearded satyr heads. The foot and lid are accented with elegant fluting. For an urn of similar form but not as ornately decorated, see the example in Berlin, see no. 234 in S. Hüneke, et al., Antiken I: Kurfürstliche und Königliche Erwerbungen für die Schlösser und Gärten in Brandenburg-Preussen vom 17. bis zum 19. Jahrhundert.

In 1961, this urn was acquired by Sir Sydney Barratt (1898-1975), a chemist whose advice to Sir Winston Churchill and the War Cabinet from 1942 to 1944 helped to secure the development of the “bouncing bomb.” The urn was housed at his country residence of Crowe Hall, which to this day remains one of the finest Regency villas in Bath. A Grand Tourist for the 20th century, Sir Sydney was a prolific collector of silver, porcelain, and Italian bronzes. Collecting classical vedute cityscape paintings bolstered his reputation as a connoisseur of varied and eclectic taste.

This example was one of numerous Roman marbles discovered at the height of the Grand Tour during the 18th century. Due to their portability and ornamental design, urns were highly sought after by popes, princes and elite travelers from across Europe. These ancient pieces attained such popularity in their day that many were collected and restored by foremost contemporary artists, including Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) and Bartolomeo Cavaceppi (1716-1799). The present vase features in a composition etched by Piranesi in the year of his death, dedicated to the traveler and future Member of Parliament for Cambridge, Francis Dickins (1750-1833). According to the accompanying dedication, the present urn was discovered “on the grounds of the Collegio Germanico,” a pontifical seminary where aspiring clergy completed their religious studies. Piranesi also notes that Cavaceppi himself was responsible for delivering Roman marbles (including the two urns in the foreground) to his patrons in England.