Vatican Museums

This miniscule marble chest (early fourth century) was intended for a newborn, as can be seen by its tiny dimensions. The holes on the right side of the back show that it was reused more recently for a fountain. The relief decorating the small front offers simple but effective witness to the faith of early Christians in the salvation of the dead. At the centre there is an image of the deceased in prayer, represented with adult features: the girl opens her arms, surrendering herself to God in prayer, while the two figures of "saints" welcome her at the assembly of the saved. At the left and the right there are two scenes relating to the miracles of Christ: the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes and the resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain (Lk 7, 11-17). Infant mortality was extremely widespread in ancient times and the family of the departed child could easily have identified with the figure of the mother who awaits with faith the miracle worked by Jesus.