Seal of Athanasius I, Oecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
Byzantine, Patriarch, 13century, 14century, Constantinople, Lead, Seal, Athanasius
It is a lead seal. On one face is an inscription of text stating Athanasius's title. The other is a picture of Virgin Mary with Christ.
Dennis Lee
1999.60
1289-1309
HAM
Lead Seal
Georgia
Byzantine
Two Panels of an Ivory Diptych Announcing the Consulship of Justinian
ivory, justinian, 6century, byzantium, panel, diptych, constantinople
These two panels of a diptych were created in 521 AD in Constantinople. The panels are made of ivory, and are inscribed with words as well as ornate decorations in the middle and in the four corners. The decorations in the corners depict a lion_s head within a detailed flower. The text on the panels describes the election of the consul Justinian.
Eliza Erle
17.190.52
521
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ivory
Kate
Byzantine
Penannular brooch
silver, brooch, penannular
This is a zoomorphic penannular brooch most likely from England or Great Britain, although the origins of the brooch are unclear. It has a dragon head on each end. This brooch was used either to hold a cloak or a kilt, if it was from Scotland. This brooch was used in both a functional and a decorative way, and showed the status of the traveller that wore it.
Emmy Wheaton
41.104
10th century
MFA
silver
Taylor
English (?)
Roundel with Basilisks
roundel, basilisk, limoges, 13century, enamel, gilded
Manufactured in Limoges, France - likely for trade!
Eric Cervini
47.1038
1200-1250
MFA
Enamel and gilding
Kate
French
Box
Gothic, Silver,14century, SaintMargaret, SaintCatherineofAlexandria
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.
Georgia Stirtz
46.1249
mid-14th century
MFA
Silver
Georgia
Northern European
Brick Stamp of Emperor Theodoric
Brick, 5century, 6century, Rome, Theoderic, Emperor, Stamp
Brick Stamp representing Emperor Theoderic from the Aurelian Wall, which he did repairs on. Apparently there are numerous types of stamp from his reign. To specify, this is Theoderic the Great (there are atleast 5 Theoderics...) Also, this is broken but the words of the stamp can be inferred from similar stamps referring to Theoderic.
Indrani Das
1977.216.165
5th-6th century
HAM
Terracotta Brick
Georgia
Roman
Chess Piece
ivory, scandinavia, 12century, chess
Jacob Luna
1973.522
12th century
MFA
walrus ivory with inlaid glass
Taylor
Scandinavia
Les Lamentations, Manuscript
14century, misogyny, clergy, manuscript, France
Jake Matthews
Houghton MS Fr 169
approx. 1320
Houghton Library
Kate
France
Pyx
13century, limoges, france, pyx, copper, enamels, communion, eucharist, travel
This is a copper box that holds a consecrated Eucharist to the sick or the unable to travel to church to recieve it. Usually carried, suspended around the neck, the pyx was carried by priests, but since the late 20th century, lay people who are eucharistic ministers can carry them.
Jameson McShea
61.209
13th Century
MFA
Copper / Enamels
Taylor
Limoges, France
Boulloterion
tool, saint_nicholas, seal, byzantine, numismatic, security
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.
Janice Jia
1951.31.6
850-1100
HAM
Iron
Georgia
Byzantine