Obj. ID: 1687
Ancient Jewish Art  The Acanthus sarcophagus (A) from Beth She`arim

To the main object: Beth She'arim

The sarcophagus has a rectangular body. The front side of the sarcophagus is decorated with three garlands. Above the central garland are the remains of a lion, and above the other two are rosettes. The two narrow sides are decorated with a garland above a krater. The front side - is decorated with three garlands. Above the cental one is a lion, and above the side ones are rosettes. From the lion`s body, only the two front feet, and mane remained. His right feet is raised and resting on a spherical object. Above the other two garlands on either sides are superimposed rosettes, that only their lower part has remained. Between the garlands, are two tassels of suspended, fan-shaped, Acanthus leaves, and on both ends of the garlands are two larg Acanthus leaves. The left garland is composed of clumps of wavy leaves and a spherical object in the center. The middle and right grlands are composed of overlapping leaves, and in the center of the middle graland is a spherical object. A row of Egg-and-dart pattern decorates the rim of the sarcophgus, and below it is a row of bead and reel. The two narrow sides - are decorated with a garland enclosing a krater with a grooved body, wich only his lower part has remained. The graland is decorated with overlapping leaves and a spherical object in the center.