FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Antiquities Discussion Forums => Ancient Pottery Discussion Forum => Topic started by: mauseus on November 03, 2022, 06:10:45 pm

Title: The raising of Lazarus on a Roman redware fragment
Post by: mauseus on November 03, 2022, 06:10:45 pm
Many years ago I acquired a fragment of Roman North African redware from the 4th century AD. Part of the moulded design featured a sheep. I've recently come across a similar bowl that allows me to postulate what the full design is.

On a dish recently offered for sale the design has been shown to be the raising of Lazarus, the sheep and the foot of the right hand character being visible on the fragment.

Lazarus is shown as a figure wrapped in a shroud within a pedestal tomb and Jesus is depicted as the Good Shepherd carrying a staff and herding a ram. To the other side is a bearded figure with his hand raised in praise.

Early depictions of Jesus are not common though the story of the raising of Lazarus was popular in Roman funerary art, most notably on the wall frescoes in the catacombs in Rome due to the obvious importance of the message of resurrection.
Title: Re: The raising of Lazarus on a Roman redware fragment
Post by: Molinari on November 03, 2022, 06:40:48 pm
I love it! I think you’re right too.
Title: Re: The raising of Lazarus on a Roman redware fragment
Post by: Jay GT4 on November 03, 2022, 06:51:58 pm
Fantastic piece
Title: Re: The raising of Lazarus on a Roman redware fragment
Post by: Dominic T on November 03, 2022, 07:53:18 pm
Just WOW ! Thanks for sharing.
DT
Title: Re: The raising of Lazarus on a Roman redware fragment
Post by: Gert on November 04, 2022, 04:24:08 am
Very interesting!
Title: Re: The raising of Lazarus on a Roman redware fragment
Post by: wileyc on November 08, 2022, 11:13:17 pm
Good eyes for that.
Title: Re: The raising of Lazarus on a Roman redware fragment
Post by: Ron C2 on December 25, 2022, 05:13:08 pm
Great guess! I think your attribution is likely correct.
Title: Re: The raising of Lazarus on a Roman redware fragment
Post by: SC on December 26, 2022, 07:35:04 am
Very nice, though I think that the dating of plates such as this actually ranges from the 4th to 6th centuries.

SC