Singing Doors : Images, Space, and Sound in the Santa Sabina Narthex
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| Year of publication | 2021 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The purpose of this paper is to reflect on a key monument from late antiquity with a fresh perspective. The famous wooden door of the Basilica of Santa Sabina on the Aventine Hill was mostly likely made between the pontificates of Celestine I (421-431) and Sixtus III (431-440). I’ve recently dedicated a monographic study to this object. However, recent discoveries made in collaboration with Roberto Saccuman, who directed the door’s latest restoration, lead me to expand and partly modify the overview proposed there.Below, I would like to first summarize the results of my research on the door’s function and decoration, lending particular attention to liturgical and ritual practices. Second, I would like to focus on the new findings, which have, unexpectedly, introduced musical and phonic aspects into the discussion. |