Bowl Base with Christ Giving Martyrs' Crowns to Saints Peter and Paul in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 2010

Bowl Base with Christ Giving Martyrs' Crowns to Saints Peter and Paul
Roman or Byzantine, probably from Rome
Made about 350
Inscribed in Latin: Worthy among thy friends, joyful in Christ; (beside figures) Peter; Paul

Accession: 11.91.4

This fragment is embedded in the mortar in which it was found.


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.