Four Panels from a Casket, c. 420-30, Roman, Rome, ivory, 75 mm x 98 mm (single panel), London, The British Museum.
The four panels depict episodes from Passion and Resurrection of Christ. Top left: (these vignettes are meant to be read separately) the Judgement and Denial of St. Peter, at left, Pontius Pilate is shown seated, washing his hands in a basin with an attendant pouring water. At middle, Christ carries his cross, compelled by a soldier. At right, St. Peter is seated, behind him, a rooster crows (for the Denial of Peter: the Gospel of Matthew 26:33-35, the Gospel of Mark 14:29-31, the Gospel of Luke 22:33-34 and the Gospel of John 18:15-27), and a female figure points in accusation. Top right: the Crucifixion with the death of Judas at left, below his feet is the purse of silver, which he received as payment for his betrayal. Christ is surrounded by his mother Mary and St. John to the left, and the solider Longinus to the right, who is piercing Christ’s side with a spear. Bottom left: the Maries at the tomb. Christ’s Sepulchre is shown centrally with open doors, through which part of a carved sarcophagus can be seen. One door is decorated with the scene of the Raising of Lazarus and a seated depiction of the Virgin Mary. At left and right of the tomb are sleeping soldiers. Bottom right: The Incredulity of Thomas (see: John 20:24–29). Christ, at center, is shown young and beardless, with a nimbus. At the right Thomas reaches his right index finger towards Christ’s wound.