The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 22, 2024

Sleep and Death Cista Handle

Sleep and Death Cista Handle

400–375 BCE
with base: 18.5 x 18.3 cm (7 5/16 x 7 3/16 in.); without base: 14 x 17.4 cm (5 1/2 x 6 7/8 in.)
Location: 102D Pre-Roman

Did You Know?

These three figures were cast in eight separate pieces, then welded together and attached to the rectangular base.

Description

Designed for attachment to the lid of a large bronze cista, a cylindrical lidded box, these three figures probably represent Sleep (Hypnos) and Death (Thanatos) holding the body of Sarpedon. A son of Zeus who helped to defend Troy from invading Greek forces, "godlike Sarpedon of the brazen helmet" fell at the hands of Patroclus, as told by Homer in Book XVI of the Iliad. Apollo then intervened to protect the body, removing it from danger and entrusting it to the two winged deities, as depicted here and in a number of other ancient artworks, Greek and Etruscan alike. If not Sarpedon, the fallen warrior could be Memnon, the son of Eos and Tithonos slain by Achilles.
  • ?-1935
    Cortlandt F. Bishop (1870-1935)
    1935-1935
    [American Art Association, Cortlandt F. Bishop Sale 11/22/1935]
    1935-1945
    Brummer Gallery, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1945-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
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  • {{cite web|title=Sleep and Death Cista Handle|url=false|author=|year=400–375 BCE|access-date=22 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1945.13