Reliquary in the Shape of a Sarcophagus

400–600
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 300
Holes in the lids of sarcophagus-shaped reliquaries, as seen here, allowed the faithful to insert cloth attached to narrow rods into the reliquary in order to absorb the power of the relic through contact. Alternatively, oil was poured through the hole and collected by means of a second hole in the base in containers brought by the faithful.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Reliquary in the Shape of a Sarcophagus
  • Date: 400–600
  • Culture: Byzantine
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: Overall: 5 5/8 x 7 7/16 x 3 7/8 in. (14.3 x 18.9 x 9.8 cm)
    Lid: 3 1/8 x 7 5/16 x 3 3/4 in. (7.9 x 18.6 x 9.6 cm)
    Bottom container: 2 15/16 x 7 7/16 x 3 7/8 in. (7.5 x 18.9 x 9.8 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Stone
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.69.2a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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