| The Ludovisi and Boston Thrones are similar three sided marble reliefs whose discovery, function, origin and meaning are endlessly disputed. |
The Thrones both: are cut from a single block of marble. have reliefs on one long side and two short returns,( the back being hollowed out). are of almost identical proportions. have suffered similar damage. have similar arrangements of figureson the relief. |
 Description of the Ludovisi Throne  |
 Description of the Boston Throne |
| On the front of both Thrones are three figures in a centripental arrangement. On the shorter sides, both have a single figure, in profile, sitting with their back to the main scene. Each of the panels is bounded by a carved bottom line. In the Boston Throne, above right, this is filled with volutes and palmettes. In the Ludovisi Throne, above left, this space is empty, but it has been suggested that it would have been placed in a similar frame. Due to their physical similarity, it appears that the Boston Throne was designed to go with the Ludovisi Throne. But whereas the Ludovisi Throne is almost definitely 5th century BC Greek, or Western Greek, the Boston Throne's origin is debateable. |
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