DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52594#0591
Christian Art.
Nos. 836-846 are a somewhat heterogeneous collection of oriental
and Etruscan works.
829. (LN. 857 a). Overworked upper siory of an Early Christian
sarcophagus. M.
H. 0.48, L. 1.90. The face of the figure on the right of Jesus has
been patched in modern time. On the other alterations see below.
Acquired in 1893 from Rome; formerly in the possession of a noble
Venetian family.
This sarcophagus remnant has columns with spiral fluting
and composite capitals dividing it into seven niches with
cockle-shell decoration and tile-covered arches above. In
the angles of the arches were birds originally in pairs, eating
from fruit baskets. The type recalls the Probus sarcophagus
of about 395 (G. Schonemark: Der Kruzifixus. 1908. Fig. 32);
also the Junius Bassus sarcophagus in the crypt of St. Peter’s
(v. Sybel: Christliche Antike II p. 178 seq.; Fr. Gerke: Der
Sarkophag des Junius Bassus, Bilderhefte antiker Kunst IV),
but particularly the sarcophagi of the Ravenna type in the
Lateran, 4th and 5th centuries A. D.
Indeed, the Christ in the centre niche is antique in type
and dress, and the cross on which he leans is somewhat
reminiscent of that on a Ravenna sarcophagus (Lateran No.
106) and an ivory relief in the British Museum (Dalton:
Cat. of Early Christian Antiquities. 1901. PL VI).
But, as on the Ravenna sarcophagi, he should be standing
on a mountain from which the rivers of Paradise arise.
Presumably the mountain was damaged and was therefore
turned into a cockle shell, gilded like the capitals and floating
on the waves; in other words a gross misunderstanding.
In conformity, all the apostles are in costumes with wide
sleeves, definitely mediaeval monastic frocks, and many of
them are also tonsured. They are completely altered and their
position in the background and the hollowing out behind
the columns (which on Early Christian sarcophagi are never
free like this) show that in the Middle Ages, presumably
about the 15th century, a 5th or 6lh century sarcophagus
was worked over and used again as a retabulum, i. e. shelf
behind an altar.
The piece has therefore been removed to the store.
Billedtavler pl. LXXII.
587
Nos. 836-846 are a somewhat heterogeneous collection of oriental
and Etruscan works.
829. (LN. 857 a). Overworked upper siory of an Early Christian
sarcophagus. M.
H. 0.48, L. 1.90. The face of the figure on the right of Jesus has
been patched in modern time. On the other alterations see below.
Acquired in 1893 from Rome; formerly in the possession of a noble
Venetian family.
This sarcophagus remnant has columns with spiral fluting
and composite capitals dividing it into seven niches with
cockle-shell decoration and tile-covered arches above. In
the angles of the arches were birds originally in pairs, eating
from fruit baskets. The type recalls the Probus sarcophagus
of about 395 (G. Schonemark: Der Kruzifixus. 1908. Fig. 32);
also the Junius Bassus sarcophagus in the crypt of St. Peter’s
(v. Sybel: Christliche Antike II p. 178 seq.; Fr. Gerke: Der
Sarkophag des Junius Bassus, Bilderhefte antiker Kunst IV),
but particularly the sarcophagi of the Ravenna type in the
Lateran, 4th and 5th centuries A. D.
Indeed, the Christ in the centre niche is antique in type
and dress, and the cross on which he leans is somewhat
reminiscent of that on a Ravenna sarcophagus (Lateran No.
106) and an ivory relief in the British Museum (Dalton:
Cat. of Early Christian Antiquities. 1901. PL VI).
But, as on the Ravenna sarcophagi, he should be standing
on a mountain from which the rivers of Paradise arise.
Presumably the mountain was damaged and was therefore
turned into a cockle shell, gilded like the capitals and floating
on the waves; in other words a gross misunderstanding.
In conformity, all the apostles are in costumes with wide
sleeves, definitely mediaeval monastic frocks, and many of
them are also tonsured. They are completely altered and their
position in the background and the hollowing out behind
the columns (which on Early Christian sarcophagi are never
free like this) show that in the Middle Ages, presumably
about the 15th century, a 5th or 6lh century sarcophagus
was worked over and used again as a retabulum, i. e. shelf
behind an altar.
The piece has therefore been removed to the store.
Billedtavler pl. LXXII.
587