Summary
There are eight carved marble Roman sarcophagi placed in a west to east line across the northern end of the entrance court (150453).
Identification Images (0)
Most Recent Monitoring
None Recorded
Monument Types
- SARCOPHAGUS (Roman - 100 AD to 275 AD)
Description
There are eight carved marble Roman sarcophagi placed in a west to east line across the northern end of the entrance court (150453). They were purchased in Rome and brought to Cliveden by the 1st Lord Astor towards the end of the 19th century.
(a) Oval Fluted sarcophagus. Carved with an amphora in the central ellipse, and lions, with their keepers, attacking a foal at the left end and a boar at the right. Probably about 275 A.D.
(b) Oval Fluted sarcophagus. This has the small figure of a draped woman in the central ellipse and at each end a lion with its keeper attacking a humped cow. Of the period 235 -250 A.D.
(c) The Triumph of Dionysus sarcophagus. Dionysus drives in his panther drawn chariot, bringing up the rear of the Bacchic procession which is headed by Herakles. The procession includes two Indian captives, one riding an elephant, the other on a camel. About 220 A.D. It has been restored.
(d) The Endymion sarcophagus. Luna with Hymenaeus descends from her chariot towards Endymion over whom Somnus pours a sleeping potion. The corner figures represent the four seasons. About 240 A.D. It has been restored.
(e) The Erotes sarcophagus. Four erotes (gods of love) bearing garlands on their shoulders. In the spaces between them are a tragic female mask, a male portrait bust and a comic slave's mask. There is a griffin at each end. About 100 A.D. but some later re-working.
(f) The Theseus sarcophagus. Carved with scenes from the story of Theseus and Ariadne, with the figures of Minos, the Minotaur, Daedalus and others. The sarcophagus was dedicated to Artemidorus by his mother, Valeria. Theseus probably portrays Artemidorus, and Ariadne the likeness of Valeria. About 245 A.D.. It has been restored.
(g) Oblong Fluted sarcophagus. Eros and Psyche in the central panel and Victory carrying a garland at each corner. Second half of the 2nd century A.D. Re-worked later, possibly in the Renaissance.
(h) Oblong Fluted sarcophagus. Dionysus accompanied by Pan and a panther in the central panel. On the left a satyr with a wineskin and on the right a maenad playing a flute. Second half of the 2nd century A.D. (Robert about 1900 and Oehler H. 1978)
References
- --- SNA68508 - National Trust Report: WL Matthews. 1990. The National Trust Archaeological Survey, Cliveden.
- --- SZM10043 - Article in serial: Anon. 1930. 5th November.
- --- SZM10077 - Article in serial: Anon. 1986. 10th April.
- --- SZM11 - Unpublished document: C Wall. 1984. Cliveden, An Account of the Development of the Grounds.
- --- SZM1508 - Monograph: William Page. 1925. The Victoria History of the County of Buckingham. 3.
- --- SZM21755 - Slide: Angus Wainwright. 01/05/1990. Sarcophagi, Cliveden. 5.
- --- SZM2832 - Graphic material: H Oehler. 1978. Classical Sculpture in English Private Collections.
- --- SZM32655 - Slide: Angus Wainwright. 01/06/1990. Sarcophagi, Cliveden. 23.
- --- SZM3967 - Monograph: G Jackson Stops. 1982. Cliveden.
- --- SZM41985 - Slide: Angus Wainwright. 01/05/1990. Sarcophagi, Cliveden. 4.
- --- SZM5507 - Article in serial: Anon. 1977. 24th February.
- --- SZM593 - Article in serial: Anon. 1931. 11th July.
- --- SZM6539 - Article in serial: Anon. 1977. 3rd March.
- --- SZM6906 - Article in serial: Anon. 1931. 18th July.
- --- SZM7270 - Article in serial: C Robert. 1900. A Collection of Roman Sarcophagi at Cliveden. 20.
- --- SZM8452 - Unpublished document: G S Thomas. 1984. Cliveden, An Account of the Development of the Grounds.
- --- SZM8830 - Article in serial: Anon. 1912. 7th December.
- --- SZM9809 - Article in serial: Anon. 1931. 8th August.
Designations
None Recorded
Other Statuses and References
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Associated Events
- ENA9699 - Heritage Assessment, Archaeological survey of the Cliveden estate
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
None Recorded