Detail of the Sarcophagus of Seianti Hanunia Tlesnana in the British Museum, May 2014

sarcophagus

Object type: sarcophagus

Museum number: 1887,0402.1

Description: Painted terracotta sarcophagus of Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa, her name inscribed on the chest. She reclines upon a mattress and pillow, holding an open lidded-mirror in her left hand and raising her right hand to adjust her mantle. She wears a chiton with high girdle, a bordered mantle, and jewellery comprising a diadem, ear-rings, necklace, bracelets and finger-rings.

Culture/period: Etruscan

Date: 250BC-150BC (circa)

Production place: Made in: Italy;

Findspot: Excavated/Findspot: Poggio Cantarello;

Materials: terracotta

Technique: painted; moulded

Inscription

Curator's comments: The skull and other bones (1887,0402.2) from the sarcophagus were found to belong to a woman who was probably about fifty years old at the time of her death.

Bibliography: Terracotta D786

Named in inscription & portrayed: Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa

Acquisition: Purchased from: Prof Wolfgang Helbig

Acquisition date: 1887

Department: Greek & Roman Antiquities

Registration number: 1887,0402.1


Text from: www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=466847&partId=1