Dumbarton Oaks - Criophore (possibly Orpheus as Good Shepherd)

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Criophore (possibly Orpheus as Good Shepherd)

Late Roman
3rd century - 4th century
11.2 cm (4 7/16 in.)
ivory
BZ.1945.3

Not on view

Permalink: http://museum.doaks.org/objects-1/info/35704

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Obverse

Description

A fragmentary group of a shepherd carrying a ram on his shoulders with a lamb at his feet (originally flanked by two), a type known as a Criophore or Lamb-bearer. The Phrygian cap suggests the figure may be identified as Orpheus as the Good Shepherd.

Bibliography

Handbook of the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Harvard University (Washington, DC, 1955), no. 228.

Handbook of the Byzantine Collection, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, DC, 1967), no. 271.

K. Weitzmann, Ivories and Steatites, Catalogue of the Byzantine and Early Mediaeval Antiquities in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Vol. III (Washington, DC, 1972), no. 5, pl. IV.

Acquisition History

From Egypt.

Purchased from the Byzantine Institute, June 20, 1945.

Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Byzantine Collection, Washington, D.C.