Lar (Primary Title)
Statuette of a Dancing Lar (Alternate Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Burn incense to the gods of the family . . . and offer food so the robed Lares may feed from the dish set out for them as a mark of respect that is received with gratitude. —Ovid, Fasti
The pose of this statuette and the attributes held in his now-missing arms—a cornucopia (horn of plenty) and libation bowl—identify him as a Lar familiaris, the spirit who protected all members of a Roman household (including slaves). The Lar was the focal point of Roman domestic ritual and received daily offerings such as incense, wine, grain, and garlands.
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
“Ancient Art in American Private Collections,” The Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University (Cambridge, MA): 28 December 1954-15 February 1955.
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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