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Table Base with Jonah Swallowed and Cast Up by the Big Fish

early 300s
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 300
The sculpture portrays two key episodes from the biblical story of Johan in succession: first, he is thrown overboard during a great storm at sea and swallowed by a great fish; then, after three days, Jonah is saved when the fish vomits. A testament to the power of faith, the Jonah story was embraced by Christians as foretelling the story of Jesus' resurrection from the dead after three days.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title:
    Table Base with Jonah Swallowed and Cast Up by the Big Fish
  • Date:
    early 300s
  • Geography:
    Made in Asia Minor
  • Culture:
    Roman
  • Medium:
    Marble, white
  • Dimensions:
    Overall: 19 1/2 x 24 x 13 1/4 in. (49.5 x 61 x 33.7 cm)
    Base: 9 5/8 x 10 1/4 in. (24.4 x 26 cm)
    weight: 181lb. (82.1kg)
  • Classification:
    Sculpture-Stone
  • Credit Line:
    Gift of John Todd Edgar, 1877
  • Object Number:
    77.7
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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