Beschreibung:

AN ETRUSCAN BRONZE CISTA , standing on three lion's paw feet surmounted by an appliqué of a kneeling winged spirit with left hand to its head in a gesture of mourning and holding a down-turned torch in the right hand. The handle on the cover modelled with a standing satyr with tail, pointed ears and long tresses interlacing arms with a standing female, both nude save for thonged sandals. The whole cista has incised decoration comprising, Cover: a laurel leaf border enclosing a swimming sea monster, two himmpocamps and a dolphin (associated with the after-life) Body: a palmette and lotus bud border above and below enclosing two groups of standing figures separated by Ionic columns. (A) Judgement of Paris, showing Paris holding a spear in his right hand and a mantle draped around his waist and left arm and wearing an armlet. Before him stand the three goddesses, each naked wearing armlets, necklaces and earrings. Aphrodite touches Paris on the shoulder with her right hand, holding a garland in her left, wide coiled bracelets on her wrists. Behind her stand Hera holding a mantle in her left hand and Athena with a spear, a mantle folded over her left arm. Watching the scene behind Paris are four Trojan heroes, each holding a spear. (B) Between the columns stands a naked winged female spirit. probably associated with Death, who holds a garland in her right hand and taps the youth beside her on the shoulder with her left. The youth holds a spear as does the youth before them who watches, wearing a mantle over his left shoulder which falls down his back. circa 300 B.C., probably from Praeneste 16¼in. (41.3cm.) high