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Fragment of a Frieze with the Miracle of Loaves and Fishes

6th–7th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 302
On this heavily damaged stone, Christ sits enthroned under an arch, extending his right hand toward twelve baskets. Saint Mark the Evangelist (6:33–44) wrote that from a meager five loaves and two fish, Christ was able to feed a crowd of five thousand people—with twelve baskets of food left over, as here. In this depiction, angels stand to Christ’s left and right; beyond them, apostles or saints carry books in their left hand and gesture with their right as if speaking or preaching.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Fragment of a Frieze with the Miracle of Loaves and Fishes
  • Date: 6th–7th century
  • Geography: Said to be from Egypt, Bawit
  • Medium: Limestone; carved
  • Dimensions: H. 9 5/8 in. (24.5 cm)
    W. 39 38 in. (100 cm)
    D. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
    W. 112 lb. (50.8 kg)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1910
  • Object Number: 10.176.21
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Fragment from a Frieze with Meander Pattern and Diamond-Shaped Rosettes, Limestone; carved in relief
Fragment from a Frieze with Meander Pattern and Diamond-Shaped Rosettes
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Corner Block from a Frieze with a Meander Pattern of Lines and Rosettes, Limestone; carved in relief
Corner Block from a Frieze with a Meander Pattern of Lines and Rosettes
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