The Maffeiano Museum - Room with roman artifacts on the second floorMaffeian Lapidary Museum
The last section of the room on the second floor presents an interesting group of Etruscan funerary urns.
The Maffeiano Museum - Room with roman artifacts on the second floorMaffeian Lapidary Museum
Some of them were collected by Scipione Maffei, but for the most part they come from the collection of the Veronese Jacopo Verità, which begun in the second half of the 18th century.
Funerary urn (2nd century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
These urns date back to the 3rd - 1st centuries BC, a time when Etruria had already fallen under the sphere of influence of Rome.
Funerary urn (2nd century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
Scipione Maffei loved to have urns in alabaster, a precious material that had no quarries in Veneto.
The materials of these urns refer to the original production centers: terracotta in Chiusi, alabaster in Volterra, travertine in Perugia.
Funerary urn (2nd century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
The themes are mythological or of funerary significance, such as the journey to the underworld on a cart pulled by mules.
Funerary urn (1st century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
Funerary urn (2nd century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
Another frequent theme is that of the last farewell between relatives, that may occur in front of a door that symbolizes the entrance to the world of the afterlife.
Funerary urn (2nd - 1st century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
Funerary urn (2nd century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
On the lids the deceased is depicted semi-reclining, often carrying a patera (plate), a fan or a fruit in his or her hand.
Funerary urn (2nd century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
Funerary urn (2nd century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
Funerary urn (2nd century B.C.)Maffeian Lapidary Museum
