Santa Maria in Cosmedin Self-researched
Rome, Italy
Architectural style: Early medieval, Romanesque
Artworks
Ciborium of Deodatus Self-researched
A Gothic-style altar canopy (baldacchino) signed "Deodatus me fecit" ("Deodatus made me"). In the Florentine Gothic style with Cosmatesque inlay decoration, it is supported by four red granite columns from Aswan, Egypt, topped with Ionic capitals. The front face features a mosaic scene of the Annunciation facing the nave.
Bocca della Verità Self-researched
A large ancient Roman marble disc (1.75 meters across, 19 cm thick, weighing approximately 1,200 kg) bearing a bearded face in shallow relief with pierced eyes, nostrils, and mouth. Thought to represent an ocean deity or river god, it may have originally served as a drain cover or fountain. According to medieval legend, it will bite off the hand of any liar who places their hand in its mouth. It stands against the left wall of the church portico.
Schola Cantorum Self-researched
An enclosed choir area in the nave with intricately carved marble panels featuring Cosmatesque geometric inlay. Part of a larger ensemble of 13th-century marble liturgical furnishings including the pulpit, paschal candlestick, and episcopal throne (bishop's chair with three steps and lion-carved armrests).
Marble Doorcase Self-researched
A signed marble doorcase featuring Classical motifs including birds, foliage, a blessing hand, and Evangelist symbols. One of the few signed works of medieval architectural sculpture in Rome.
Cosmatesque Pavement Self-researched
The nave floor is a masterpiece of Cosmatesque opus sectile work, featuring elaborate geometric patterns of inlaid colored marble. Dominated by an enormous porphyry roundel with intricate patterning using purple-crimson porphyry, dark green serpentine, and yellow giallo antico marble set in white marble matrices.
Adoration of the Magi Mosaic Fragment Self-researched
An important early medieval mosaic fragment housed in the sacristy, originally from the Oratory of Pope John VII in Old St. Peter's Basilica. The full mosaic cycle measured 9 meters by 6 meters and depicted the Virgin Mary surrounded by seven scenes from her life. This surviving fragment shows the Adoration of the Magi with an angel between the Virgin and Child and the approaching Magi, merging the journey and adoration into a single scene. Donated to the church in 1639 by order of Pope Urban VIII.