An Ivory Pyxis in the Museo Cristiano and a Plaque from the Sancta Sanctorum

Abstract

IN the Museo Cristiano of the Vatican Library is an ivory pyxis on which are represented four miracles from the life of Christ. They are the Raising of Lazarus and the Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood, the Healing of the Man Born Blind, and the Healing of the Paralytic (Figs. 2 and 3).The scenes run around the outside of the pyxis1 and are composed of nine figures, Christ appearing twice and in each case distinguished by the scepter cross which he carries. All the figures are short-haired, beardless, and of approximately the same height, with the exception of the blind man and Lazarus, who are somewhat smaller in stature for both iconographical and practical reasons.