Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
ADJUNCT MODULE B: ITALIAN ART
Preferred Title:
Bronze Fittings from the Nemi Ships
Image View:
Bronze ring with lion head; a ring was located at each rowing position of the Seconda nave
Creator:
unknown (Roman (ancient) sculptor)
Location:
repository: Museo Nazionale Romano (Rome, Lazio, Italy)
Location Note:
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme; Largo di Villa Peretti, 2
GPS:
41.901359 12.498249
Date:
ca. 37-41 CE (creation)
Cultural Context:
Roman (ancient)
Style Period:
Imperial (Roman)
Work Type 1:
herm
Work Type 2:
sculpture (visual work)
Classification:
Sculpture and Installations
Material:
bronze
Technique:
casting (process)
Subjects:
animal; decorative arts; mythology (Classical); Caligula, Emperor of Rome; Medusa (Greek mythology); hardware; ships fittings
Description:
The Nemi Ships were two ships, one ship larger than the other (the Seconda nave, 73 meters long), built by the Roman emperor Caligula in the 1st century CE at Lake Nemi. Although the purpose of the ships is only speculated upon, the larger ship was essentially an elaborate floating palace. The bronze fittings were brought up by divers in 1895. Fully recovered by draining the lake bed in 1929, the ships were destroyed by artillery fire during World War II in 1944. One-fifth scale models of the ships were rebuilt and are displayed at the Nemi Museum. (Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Main_Page)
Image Description:
Bronze rings recovered in 1895. These were fitted to the ends of cantilevered beams that supported each rowing position on the seconda nave.
Collection:
Adjunct Module B: Italian Art
Identifier:
7A3-R-PM-NSB-A08
Rights:
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.

Bronze Fittings from the Nemi Ships