Lot 311
311
AN EARLY JEWISH OR CHRISTIAN BURIAL PLAQUE
ANCIENT JUDAICA FROM THE COLLECTION OF DANIEL M. FRIEDENBERG
AN EARLY JEWISH OR CHRISTIAN BURIAL PLAQUE

ROMAN PERIOD, CIRCA 3RD CENTURY A.D.

Details
AN EARLY JEWISH OR CHRISTIAN BURIAL PLAQUE
Roman Period, Circa 3rd Century A.D.
From a larger panel sealing a cubiculum within a catacomb, preserving a square plaque engraved with a dove in profile to the left, its tail, wings and feathers all delineated, holding a twig with three berries in its beak
10¼ in. (26 cm) high

Lot Essay

The appearance of a dove with an olive twig is both a Jewish and Christian symbol employed in the Roman Period. The dove was sent forth from Noah's ark to see if the waters of the great flood had subsided and find if there was dry land on which the ark could go ashore. The dove came back with a branch, proving that it had indeed found land (Genesis 8:11). This Old Testament story was an appropriate funerary symbol as it came to represent rebirth and renewal.

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