Grand Tour Inkstand – Tomb of Scipio

This is a Siena marble inkstand crafted as a model of the Tomb of Scipio, often referred to as a “Grand Tour” inkstand.

Translation of the Inscription

The Latin inscription on the architectural base is the epitaph of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, and it reads:

CORNELIVS. LVCIVS. SCIPIO. BARBATVS. GNAIVOD. PATRE. PROGNATVS. FORTIS. VIR. SAPIENSQVE. QVOIVS. FORMA. VIRTVTEI. PARISVMA FVIT. CONSOL. CENSOR. AIDILIS. QVEI. FVIT. APVD. VOS. TAVRASIA. CISAVNA. SAMNIO. CEPIT. SVBIGIT. OMNE. LOVCANA. OPSIDESQVE. ABDOVCIT.

A common translation of this archaic Latin is:

“Cornelius Lucius Scipio Barbatus, born of Gnaeus his father, a brave and wise man, whose appearance was most in keeping with his virtue, who was consul, censor, and aedile among you. He captured Taurasia, Cisauna, Samnium. He subdued all Lucania and led away hostages.”

The inscription on the scrolled top, “CORNELIVS. C. N. F. SCIPIO,” is a more concise identification. In the inscription “CORNELIVS. C. N. F. SCIPIO,” the abbreviation C.N.F. stands for “Gnaei filius,” which translates to “son of Gnaeus.” This is a standard Roman abbreviation indicating patronymic (descent from the father). It specifies that this Cornelius Scipio is the son of Gnaeus.

Description of the Inkstand

The inkstand is a miniature sarcophagus, carved from Siena marble, giving it a warm, mottled yellow and cream coloration. The top portion, designed to represent the lid of a sarcophagus, is scrolled at both ends, a decorative feature. This lid is inscribed “CORNELIVS. C. N. F. SCIPIO” in black lettering. The main body of the inkwell mimics the architectural base of a sarcophagus. It features carved florets (small floral ornaments) and fluting (vertical grooves) along its frieze. This section is inscribed with the epitaph of Scipio Barbatus. The top section lifts off to reveal the functional components of the inkwell. Inside, there are two circular depressions designed to hold ink pots (inserts, now missing) and a central depression which would have served for storage.

The “Grand Tour” Inkstand

A “Grand Tour” inkstand refers to an item acquired by European, and later American, aristocrats, wealthy individuals, and scholars during their Grand Tour. The Grand Tour was a traditional trip through Europe, primarily Italy and France, undertaken by upper-class young men (and occasionally women) from about the 17th to the 19th centuries.

The primary purpose of the Grand Tour was education and cultural enrichment. Travelers would visit historical sites, art galleries, and architectural marvels to broaden their knowledge of classical antiquity, art, and European culture. They often commissioned or purchased souvenirs to commemorate their travels and demonstrate their refined taste and education upon returning home. These souvenirs frequently included:

• Models of famous sculptures or architectural ruins, such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, or, in this case, a tomb.
• Micromosaics.
• Reproductions of classical artwork.
• Vases, intaglios, and cameos.

This inkwell, being a detailed model of an ancient Roman tomb crafted from a marble historically associated with Italy (Siena), perfectly fits the description of a Grand Tour souvenir.

Age of the Piece

Based on the style, the material (Siena marble), and its classification as a “Grand Tour” item, this inkwell likely dates to the 18th or 19th century. The Grand Tour’s peak popularity was from the mid-18th century through the early 19th century. Items of this nature, celebrating classical antiquity, were highly fashionable during that period.

Scipio and His Tomb

Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus

Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus was a prominent Roman consul and general who lived in the 3rd century BCE (died c. 270 BCE). He was an ancestor of the more famous Scipio Africanus, who defeated Hannibal. Barbatus played a significant role in the Samnite Wars, a series of conflicts between the Roman Republic and the Samnites (an Italic people), which eventually led to Roman dominance over central and southern Italy. His epitaph, inscribed on his sarcophagus, highlights his military achievements, including the capture of Taurasia, Cisauna, and Samnium, and the subjugation of Lucania. He held several high Roman magistracies:

• Consul (the highest elected office of the Roman Republic).
• Censor (responsible for maintaining the census, public morality, and supervising public works).
• Aedile (oversaw public buildings, games, and the city’s food supply).

The Tomb of Scipio (Sepulcrum Scipionum)

The Tomb of the Scipios (Sepulcrum Scipionum) is an ancient Roman hypogeum (underground burial chamber) located just outside the Aurelian Walls in Rome. It served as the communal tomb of the prominent Cornelius Scipio family from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE.

It was discovered in the 18th century, and its rediscovery was a major archaeological event that captivated scholars and Grand Tourists. It provided invaluable insights into early Roman funerary practices, epigraphy (the study of inscriptions), and family history. The tomb is notable for its sarcophagi, which are carved with significant Latin inscriptions providing biographical details and achievements of the interred individuals, including Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus. The original sarcophagus of Scipio Barbatus, with its famous epitaph, is now housed in the Vatican Museums.