Bowl Base with Saints Peter and Paul Flanking a Column in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 2010

Bowl Base with Saints Peter and Paul Flanking a Column with the Christogram of Christ
Byzantine, from Rome
Made late 300s
Inscribed in Latin: Peter; Paul

Accession # 16.174.3

Saints Peter and Paul are shown with the short curly hair and pointed beard typically associated with each man.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.


Gold Glass from Rome

Glass vessels with elaborate gold foil patterns on their bases were popular in Rome. The patterns, reflecting all aspects of Roman life, were encased between two layers of glass. Carefully chipped medallions, a number of these bases were found in the catacombs, underground burial chambers, used by all religions in the late Roman and early Byzantine era. The bases may have been placed there in celebration of feasts for the dead or to mark the location of tombs. Many reflect the growing importance of Saints Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome, to Christians of the city during the fourth century.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art wall panel.