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African Red Slip Ware bowl with the sacrifice of Isaac
Roman Provincial
late Roman
A.D. 340–440
Place of Manufacture: Tunisia
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, African Red Slip Ware with figures molded separately and applied
Credit Line
Benjamin and Lucy Rowland Fund
Accession Number1989.690
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
DescriptionBowl with the scene of the Sacrifice of Isaac: Abraham is clad in a short tunic with one shoulder strap (an exomis), and he wields a broad, straight sword. With his left hand, he holds the head of Isaac over a rectangular altar with round elements (baltei) at either side of the top. Nine discs are placed on top of the altar to represent the ends of sticks of firewood. Isaac has his hands tied behind his back and wears a kind of pleated kilt. His bent right leg is missing. Above Isaac is the right hand of god. A tree and a ram complete the scene. MOst likely this bowl belonged to a Christian household as the Old Testament scene was interpreted as a message of salvation for the faithful.
ProvenanceNovember 20, 1989, sale, L. Alexander Wolfe and Frank Sternberg, Hotel Bellerive au Lac, Zürich, lot 402, to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 20, 1989)