Courtesy Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Offering Bowl with Bacchus, Hercules, and Coins, ”Patera of Rennes,” Roman, 208-209. Gold, 1 9/16 x 9 13/16 inches, weight: 2.9 pounds. Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des monnaies, médailles et antiques, Paris.
A new exhibit opening next month at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will showcase luxury items used by the ancient Roman elite.
Luxury: Treasures of the Roman Empire includes silver, gold and gemstones used to display wealth, for gifts, personal adornment and to thank the gods.
The museum says the exhibition showcases some of the finest surviving works by artists and craftsmen working 2,000 years ago, including silver statues, tableware, gold medallions and coins, and precious jewels and cameos, all celebrated for their rare materials, their refined aesthetics and compelling subject matter.
The core of the exhibition was organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum in collaboration with the Bibliothéque nationale de France, Département des Monnaies, médailles et antiques, Paris, and was curated by Kenneth Lapatin, Associate Curator of Antiquities, J. Paul Getty Museum, and Mathilde Avisseau-Broustet and Cécile Colonna of the Département des Monnaies, médailles et antiques.
The largest portion of the exhibition showcases the Berthouville Treasure, discovered in 1830 in France. At the Nelson-Atkins, the exhibition also includes objects from The Ferrell Collection, and ancient art from the museum’s collection.
Who’s talking