Copy of Roman Sarcophagus at Ince Blundell Hall, Phaeton Imploring Helios to Lend Him His Chariot (Album I)

The 2nd century AD sarcophagus was part of Henry Blundell's collection of antique statuary at Ince Blundell Hall. Blundell purchased the sarcophagus twice, first in about 1790 for £10 from the Villa D'Este, after which he had it cleaned of the mineral salts which disfigured it. He then (perhaps reluctantly) gave it to Pope Pius VI (1717-1799) in return for five marble-topped tables. He bought it a second time for £260 from a Christie's sale in 1800 of works pillaged from the papal apartments by French troops.