SARCOPHAGUS OF ANICIUS PROBUS, 393 CE, REUSED C. 1450. ST PETER'S Sextus Claudius Anicius Petronius Probus (d. 393) was one of the most important members of the predominant noble family of late-antique Rome, the Anicii. His wife built him a grandiose mausoleum attached to the apse of Old St Peter's for his sarcophagus. The front face seen here shows five arched divisions, the centre with Christ holding the crux gemmata and flanked by Peter and Paul; the other arches contain reliefs of male figures, possibly apostles. Probus was left to rest in peace until Nicholas V Parentucelli decided to demolish and extend the apse of the basilica, demolishing the mausoleum of Probus in the process. Whatever remained of poor Probus was dumped out and Nicholas V used his sarcophagus as the basilica's baptismal font, or more precisely set a smaller basin within the box. The arrangement in the photo obviously postdates the new (1698) font by Carlo Fontana and must reuse elements from the Renaissance font, but the "tazza" or basin seems to have been removed and replaced with a marble panel. Above is a sort of small reservoir which must have contained holy water that would emerge from the hole at centre. This reservoir seems to have been made of a spolia basin with a C15 lid, and is emerging from a niche between stone curtains being held back by two angels. This ensemble was said in 1933 to be in a corridor next to the chapel of the Pietà but I can't confirm this.

A #SpoliaSunday extra: the #sarcophagus of the most illustrious senator, consul, and urban prefect #Anicius Probus, grandfather of two emperors, brutally reused by #NicholasV in c. 1450-1455 as the #baptismal #font of Old St Peter's and now who knows where in New St Peter's.