Bronze Rooster.
Ninth century.

This rooster from a stylistic viewpoint is datable to the ninth century. Pope Leo IV had it placed on top of the bell tower of the old Constantinian Basilica. Some have wanted to see a reference to St Peter's denial in this interesting example of medieval toreutics, but this seems rather doubtful. In medievla tradition, in fact, roosters on the bell towers of most other churches stood both as a symbol of vigilance and to announce the break of day after the darkness of the night.

A few of the many items on display in the Treasury Museum