Ancient Door of Santa Sabina, Rome

The magnificent carved wooden door of Santa Sabina in Rome dates from c.430 AD and stands close to its original position in the narthex (porch). Over the centuries it has losts ten of its panels, and those remaining are probably not in their original order, but the beautifully carved door remains a rare and precious survival of Early Christian art. The reliefs depict biblical scenes, including what is the earliest known depiction of the Crucifixion. The door is beautifully carved of a rich brown cypress wood.

Crucifixion (Matthew 27:35-38)	Women at the Empty Tomb (Matthew 28:1-7)	Adoration of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12)	Christ with Peter and Paul, holding a pearl (Matt 7:6, 13:46)
Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44) Multiplication of Loaves (Luke 9:10-17) Water into Wine (John 2:1-10)	Moses in the Desert (Exodus 15:22-27) Feast of Quail (Exodus 16:11-13) Feast of Manna (Exodus 16:11-34) Moses Strikes the Rock (Exodus 17:1-7)	Ascension of Christ, pulled up by three angels and watched by four disciples (Acts 1:9-11)	Uncertain meaning (possibly Second Coming or symbol of the Triumph of Christ and the Church)
Christ Appears to Disciples (Luke 24:36-40; John 20:19)	Christ Appears to the Holy Women (Matthew 28:8-10)	Christ Predicts Peter's Denial (Matthew 26:31-35)	Habakkuk and the Angel (Daniel 14:32-36)
Moses Receiving the Law (Ex 34:1-11) Moses Removing His Sandals, Angel in the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2-5) Moses Tending Sheep (Exodus 3:1)	Uncertain meaning (acclamation of a man in official clothing)	Israelites with Pillar of Fire (Ex 14:19-20) Pharaoh's Army Drowns (Ex 14:23-28) Aaron with Serpents (Exodus 7:8-12)	Angel in Heaven (not mentioned in Bible) Elijah Ascending in Chariot (2 Kings 2:11) Elisha Catches Cloak (2 Kings 2:13)
Pilate Washing His Hands (Mt 27:24)	[missing panels]		Christ Before Caiaphas (Mt 26:57)