This is an amulet from the Byzantine era which depicts Teh Holy Rider as well as the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus. It was used for an apotropaic effect and was considered a mix between a religious relic and pagan magic.
12century, France, Limestone, Carving, Romanesque_Architecture, Cathedral
Description
This is a Romanesque architectural frieze that was likely once part of a church or cathedral in Burgundy, France. This piece is particularly interesting, as it has elements of both Romanesque and Gothic styles, and was carved during the transitional period between the two distinct architectural movements.
This is a tool used for sealing. A small disk would be sandwiched in and then hammered to imprint an image (this particular boulloterion has St. Nicholas). Seals were used to legitimize official documents.
This is a silver box, perhaps a reliquary, with detailed engravings of Saint Margaret on one side and Saint Catherine of Alexandria on the other; both are holding objects which tell of the way in which they were killed (both were martyrs). The box itself has two flaps on opposite sides that both open, causing the box to be opened as a book is opened.