Fragment of a Marble Sarcophagus

Unknown

8th century (?) · Marble · The Cloisters

The monogram of Christ along with the Greek letters alpha and omega, referring to Christ as the beginning and end of all things, were common motifs on Christian tombstones. This piece—like several others from this region—oddly displays the alpha and omega upside down, probably a mistake on the part of the non-Greek-speaking sculptor.

Artist

Unknown

Date

8th century (?)

Medium

Marble

Culture

Frankish

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1925