If Art Could Talk Series: The Miraculous Journey of an Early Christian Sarcophagus: From Ancient Rome to Modern America
I am an ancient marble sarcophagus, a silent witness to nearly two millennia of history. My story begins in the early days of Christianity, around 300 AD, when skilled artisans in Rome brought me to life. Their chisels carefully carved intricate scenes into my surface, depicting moments from the lives of Saint Peter and Christ. Little did I know then that my journey would span continents and centuries, transforming me from a sacred burial vessel to a garden ornament and finally to a treasured piece in one of the world's most renowned museums. I am a little over two feet tall, almost seven feet long, and slightly over two feet wide. My face bears the most detailed and intricate carvings, predominantly focusing on scenes from the life of Saint Peter. This emphasis is not by chance - it reflects the growing importance of Peter in the early Church. This choice would prove prophetic as the centuries passed and the papacy became prominent. Other scenes etched into my marble surface incl