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Reliquary (covered box)
Byzantine
Byzantine Period
Late 6th–7th century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Marble
Scientific Analysis:
Marble has been scientifically tested with X-Ray Diffraction and determined to be Calcitic.
Harvard Lab No. HI218: Isotope ratios - delta13C +2.35 / delta18O -1.78, Attribution - Paros 2, Prokonnesos, Thasos-Cape Phaneri & Thasos-Aliki, Usak, Denizli 1, Iasos, Mylasa, Justification - Coarse-grained marble.
Scientific Analysis:
Marble has been scientifically tested with X-Ray Diffraction and determined to be Calcitic.
Harvard Lab No. HI218: Isotope ratios - delta13C +2.35 / delta18O -1.78, Attribution - Paros 2, Prokonnesos, Thasos-Cape Phaneri & Thasos-Aliki, Usak, Denizli 1, Iasos, Mylasa, Justification - Coarse-grained marble.
Dimensions
Height x length: 17.5 x 14.2 cm (6 7/8 x 5 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
William E. Nickerson Fund, No. 2
Accession Number64.703a-b
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsRitual objects
Catalogue Raisonné
Sculpture in Stone (MFA), no. 275; Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), p. 113 (additional published references).
DescriptionA two part reliquary that takes the form of a Roman sarcophagus. The raised area of the bottom of the lid was given a corresponding flange to allow it to fit inside the body. The decoration on the long sides mimics that of clipeate sarcophagi, with a cross taking the place of the portrait of the deceased in the center of the circle. Stylized vines and leaves comprise the rest of the decoration. The short ends are decorated with crosses flanked by tendrils of ivy. The corners of the lid and the body are chipped and scratched. The surfaces have a grayish coloration.
ProvenanceBy 1963: with George Zacos, 65 Engelgasse, Basel, Switzerland (said to come from Istanbul); purchased by MFA from George Zacos, May 13, 1964