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Chest-shaped coffin (larnax) with lid
Early Aegean, Minoan
Bronze Age, Late Minoan III A2 Period
about 1350–1300 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Painted terracotta
Dimensions
Overall: 86.3 x 40.6 x 122 cm (34 x 16 x 48 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Peter and Widgie Aldrich
Accession Number2011.319a-b
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsTomb equipment – Coffins and sarcophagi
DescriptionA rectangular chest with orange-brown decoration, one side with three large papyrus plants with two smaller papyrus plants between, the other side with two large papyrus plants and a column of shell motifs between, both sides bordered by vertical wavy lines, one short end with two columns each with three bands of wavy lines, the other end with vertical column of spirals and interlocking "S"-motifs bordered by vertical and wavy lines, the gabled lid with shell motifs on each side, one short end with two spirals, the other with papyrus, the top of the lid with ridge painted with a wavy line, columns and pairs of circular holes pierced through the sides, lid and base, one short leg reattached, lid repaired, three legs missing.
One original leg reattached and three replaced in plaster.
One original leg reattached and three replaced in plaster.
ProvenanceProbably late 19th century, acquired by an anonymous collector (b. 1868 - d. 1931), Finland [see note 1]; by descent within the family to his granddaughter; April 25, 2001, consigned by the collector's granddaughter, Christie's, South Kensington, lot 291, sold to Peter and Widgie Aldrich, Rhode Island [see note 2]; 2011, gift of Peter and Widgie Aldrich to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 22, 2011)
NOTES
[1] According to information provided by the family to the MFA, the collector acquired the larnax in the late 19th century; he was a ship owner and captain whose life dates and biographical information have been independently corroborated. [2] The larnax was placed on loan to the MFA in 2001 (former loan no. L-R 90.2001).
NOTES
[1] According to information provided by the family to the MFA, the collector acquired the larnax in the late 19th century; he was a ship owner and captain whose life dates and biographical information have been independently corroborated. [2] The larnax was placed on loan to the MFA in 2001 (former loan no. L-R 90.2001).