This late 1800s illustration shows the design on the lid of a Praeneste Box. Praenestine cistae (boxes) are sumptuous metal boxes mostly of cylindrical shape. They have a lid, figurative handles, and feet separately manufactured and attached. Cistae are covered with incised decoration on both body and lid. Little studs are placed at equal distance at a third of the cista’s height all around, regardless of the incised decoration. Small metal chains were attached to these studs and probably used to lift the cistae.

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Size: 5656px × 3306px
Photo credit: © Ivy Close Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: ancient, art, box, boxes, cistae, etruria, etruscan, etruscans, lid, myth, mythology, praeneste, praenestine, roman, rome