Roman sarcophagus

myminifactory

On the front and two short sides, winged griffins are prominently displayed, seated in profile with one front paw resting on a candelabrum. At the composition's center stands a large wine cup perched atop an acanthus bush. The cup's modest size implies that this sarcophagus was designed for the burial of a young individual. Associated with the cults of Apollo and Dionysus, winged griffins frequently appear on ancient funerary monuments, particularly on short sides of 2nd and 3rd century AD sarcophagi, symbolizing apothosis and triumph over death. The repetition of this iconic motif on both front and sides makes this sculpture uniquely compelling and places it firmly within the first half of the 2nd century AD.