Yesterday my friend Renee and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Last week, I thought, “I love museums, and I always go when I travel: Why not in my own town?” It had been a while since I’d been to The Met, so I proposed it. Of course, I wanted to go to the Greek and Roman Art gallery–I know, I know, I’m so predictable! Well, not only that–I am also a magnet because tucked in the corner of room 163, I found the three cases of antiquities on loan from the Region of Sicily. I can’t make this stuff up.
I walked in the room, and I recognized the pieces immediately because I’d seen them in Aidone in 2014. Seriously! It was like they called my name. (NB, I had no idea they are here in New York City!) If you are a geek like me, and you find this stuff fascinating, go find them. They are really extraordinary.
So, here’s an edited version of The Met’s description of the photographed (4.5 inches in diameter) medallion (that I blogged about in May 2015). “Gilt-sliver emblema representing Scylla” Greek, Sicilian, 3rd century B.C. “Scylla, the Homeric sea monster who lived in a cave in a cliff off the Straits of Messina, is shown about to hurl a boulder she holds over her head. She is depicted in the characteristic way, with the upper body of a beautiful woman and three dogs springing from her hips [devouring fish] amid her scaly extremities.” It’s made of silver and gilt and is from the archaeological site Morgantina.
