Fragment of sarcophagus with the Epiphany and the vision of Ezekiel

Photogallery

Fragment of sarcophagus with the Epiphany and the vision of Ezekiel
Fragment of sarcophagus with the Epiphany and the vision of Ezekiel
Nativity – Epiphany

The front of this small sarcophagus, is decorated with two biblical scenes alluding to the salvation of the deceased child. On the left there can be seen the episode of Ezekiel and the bones that come to life; according to the Old Testament story, reinterpreted by Christians in the light of the Gospel message, the prophet Ezekiel, symbolic representation of Christ, brings back to life an expanse of dry bones, the image of the population of Israel (Ez 37, 1-10). This is followed by the scene of the Epiphany: Mary, seated on a high throne, holds the child Jesus in the presence of the three Magi who, guided by the star, arrive bearing gifts, atop camels. Gold is represented by a crown; myrrh is transported inside a case, on which the weight is indicated (LXV = 65) to demonstrate its value; and finally, incense appears in the form of large grains placed on a plate. The scene of the Epiphany frequently decorated children’s sarcophagi, on account of the evident link to the representation of Jesus as a child.