Nereid and Triton

This plaque representing Nereid and Triton is of Egyptian origin from the3rd or 4th century (Coptic / late Antique) and was intended for applying to a casket.

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.

Triton is a sea-god. He was usually thought to be the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea and Amphritete, the goddess of the sea. A daughter, Pallas, was attributed to him. Usually he is represented with a human upper body and a tail of a fish.

The Nereids in Greek mythology are 50 sea nymphs, the daughters of Nereus and Doris.