Cupid

This bone plaque is carved in relief and shows a Corinthian capital with a cupid and a bird. It is Coptic Egyptian from the 3rd or 4th century, which is the late Antique and was intended for applying to a casket.

Coptic refers to the Copts, which are Christian Egyptians with ancient origins dating back to the first century.

Similar carvings, many of which follow the more or less convex curve of the bone, have been found in great quantities, chiefly in the district of Alexandria. The figure subjects are usually taken from mythology and are similar to those on textiles, but occasionally biblical scenes occur. The carvings were probably used in the decoration of wooden caskets.