Although lead sarcophagi are found throughout the Roman Empire after the first century, this type occurs in abundance only in eastern Mediterranean provinces, especially in the area now occupied by Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. The Dumbarton Oaks example is typical of these lead coffins in design and detail: columns divide the long sides into panels containing images of sphinxes, clusters of laurel, ivy leaves, Medusa masks, dolphins, and kraters (vases for mixing wine and water). Rope borders with scrolling leaves frame these panels, motifs often repeated on the lid along with rosettes. One end of the coffin displays a six-rayed star of rope with double rosettes at the ends and center; the other end has a temple façade with kantharoi (drinking vessels) and scrolls between columns, and ivy leaves along its pediment.

Within the cultures around the Mediterranean Sea before and during the Roman Empire and for centuries beyond, many diverse images constituted a rich repertory of apotropaic symbols, that is, images that served to keep away evil spirits. Such amuletic symbols—for example, the Medusa mask, the ivy leaf, and the rope—were even used to protect the deceased from the evil effects of bad-intentioned wishes and spirits. The belief in such spirits is attested by the very efforts taken to avoid their influence.

Lead itself was considered an effective means of conveying curses and, conversely, warding off evil spirits. A long tradition existed in the ancient world of “curse tablets” written on lead, in which the writer hoped to gain power over another person or a situation, to condemn individuals or spirits to failure. Sarcophagi were no doubt fabricated of lead in the belief that the material would enhance the efficacy of the protective images, as it would ensure the success of the curse tablets.

- S. Zwirn

A. Müfid, "Die Bleisarkophage im Antikenmuseum zu Istanbul," Jahrbuch des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts. Ergänzungsheft 16 (1932): 337-446.

M. H. Chéhab, "Sarcophages en plomb du Musée National Libanais," Syria 15 (1934): 337-50.

The Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Harvard University (Washington, D.C., 1955), 12, no. 13.

G. M. A. Richter, Catalogue of Greek and Roman Antiquities in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Dumbarton Oaks Catalogues (Cambridge, 1956), 47-48, no. 32, pl. 20.

Handbook of the Byzantine Collection (Washington, D.C., 1967), 40, no. 145.

G. Bühl, ed., Dumbarton Oaks: The Collections (Washington, D.C., 2008), 28, pl. p. 29.

Related bibliography: see Guidebook Description, background references.

Said to have been found near Tyre, in Mahalib, Syria.

Collection of Father Joseph Naayem, New York.

Sent by Father Joseph Naayem on consignment to the dealer Joseph Brummer, December 30, 1937;

Purchased through the dealer Joseph Brummer by Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington, D.C., X1187 January 4, 1941;

Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, Washington, DC