Early Christian Marble Sarcophagus Relief Fragment depicting the Arrest of Saint Peter, Constantinian Period, circa late 3rd/early 4th Century A.D.

Early Christian Marble Sarcophagus Relief Fragment depicting the Arrest of Saint Peter

Constantinian Period, circa late 3rd/early 4th Century A.D.

carved in high relief with two Roman soldiers standing on either side of Saint Peter, the heads of two young men averting their gaze at right, each soldier with close-cropped beard, short hair surmounted by a finely-stippled cylindrical cap, and wearing a mantle fastened with a circular brooch on the right shoulder, the apostle depicted in Greek philosopher’s guise, sporting a full beard, unkempt hair, tunic, himation, and probably formerly holding a staff or scroll in his hand.

32 by 43, 12 ½ by 17 in. and 62 by 36 cm., 24 ½ by 14 ¼ in. (in two joining pieces mounted separately)