The two marble prophets flanking the statue of Pope Boniface VIII were created in the early 14th century by Arnolfo di Cambio and two of his collaborators to decorate aedicules set against the buttresses of the left portal of the Cathedral’s ancient façade.

After the medieval façade was dismantled in 1587, the sculptures were moved to the garden of the Florentine palace of Valfonda and later relocated to another garden on Via della Scala, once part of the Orti Oricellari complex, where they were rediscovered in the early 20th century.

Attributed to Arnolfo, with the involvement of two collaborators who were stylistically similar yet distinct, the statues are notable for their exceptional classical monumentality, evident in the solemnity of their poses and the refined rendering of their drapery. The two prophets, depicted in an upright and frontal stance, are draped in long cloaks and hold a book or perhaps a scroll, now lost.

The original heads, lost during the dismantling of the façade, were replaced at an unspecified time with two Roman marble heads depicting bearded figures, possibly philosophers or slaves. The head of the prophet on the left remains attached to the body, while the other was removed and is now placed on one of the shelves of the Museum’s 19th-century staircase.