Front relief from a sarcophagus

myminifactory

This intricately carved frieze once adorned a majestic sarcophagus bowl. At its center, Christ, standing tall, extends his hands over two baskets of bread presented to him by two devoted disciples. Three other figures in the background complete this first group, depicting a pivotal scene from Christ's life: the miraculous multiplication of the loaves. Christ is represented once more, in profile, as he tenderly touches the eyes of a young blind man, restoring his sight through divine intervention. In the distance, a witness gestures to Jesus with their left hand while raising their right, as if echoing his words or expressing awe. Nearby, another observer holds up a scroll and points to a fourth character who, with his staff, causes a spring to burst forth from the ground. The original theme of this intricate scene is Moses striking the rock at Horeb to quench the thirst of the Israelites. On the left stands a woman in prayer, her hands lifted heavenward. Beside her stands a figure designating her, while on her other side is a man holding a volume, who appears to be gently guiding her with his arm. In the final position, seated comfortably in an armchair with legs crossed, Pierre places his left hand on a book and extends his right arm forward. Behind him, another individual raises both hands in a gesture of praise. The last character holds a volume and seems to reinforce their neighbor's motion with their right hand. The enthroned figure must be associated with the orange, an allegory for the soul of the deceased now freed from its mortal shell. This solemn knowledge is dispensed by Peter or God himself. Breaking down the iconography of this sarcophagus into three distinct parts reveals a coherent narrative: baptism (represented by the source), Eucharist (depicted in the multiplication of the loaves), and the blissful state of the soul after death, now introduced to God's presence.