Antiquities
Head of Viceroy Merymose from His Outer Sarcophagus,
Egyptian (Dynasty 18, Period of Amenhotep III) c1375 B.C. Red Granite
There were three layers to the sarcophagus of Merymose, the Viceroy of Kush under Amenhotep III. This head came from the outer sarcophagus and was separated from the rest of the container before the tomb was discovered in 1940. Hieroglyphics on the top of the head refer to Merymose’s comfortable rest in the afterlife.
Panel from a Child’s Sarcophagus,
Roman, 3rd Century Marble
The inscription speaks in a mundane yet touching manner of early death—it reads: "Dominus Flavius Chrysion the father and the mother of the daughter Cossutia Flavia the sweet one of five years." On this fragment of the young Flavia’s sarcophagus, a chariot race involving winged cupids takes place. While the victor looks back in triumph, the runner-up falters, alarming his attendant. The race can be seen as an allegorical one against time. The fallen competitor can be read as a symbol of tragic, premature death.