Browse Items (84 total)

This strap end was created in the Pre-Viking, Late Iron Age period in Scandinavia. Although, functionally, the strap end served as the end of a belt, opposite the buckle, it also stood for something more: status. Evidence corroborates the notion that…

This is a foot-high reliquary cross that probably held a small relic of the True Cross.

This a painted wooden comb from the early fifteenth century from France. It is in a gothic style. Each side features intricate carvings including a couple dining together, flanked by flute player, and watching a joust. The other side shows a scene…

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.

This is a characteristic Roman-style oil lamp of the "North African" style because they were found a lot in North Africa--there is some doubt, however, that they originated from North Africa, under the hypothesis that Alexandria could have been one…

This is a wooden relief from 13th century Italy or Western areas of the Byzantine Empire. It shows the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne, holding Baby Jesus on her lap. They are idealized and fairly unemotional and Jesus looks like a miniature adult.…

Brass plate with image of St. Christopher at the center, surrounded by an inscription

A bronze coin weight with the busts of three emperors, this is an example of the currency produced and used by early Byzantium. It follows their tradition of carving their current emperor's likeness on their coins, but more interestingly it follows…

Cut and voided velvet with pomegranate motif indicative of the style and level of production of silk and velvet in Italy at the time

This was placed on an altar in the 15th century in Florence, Italy. There are both angels and the Virgin Mary on the altar cloth. It was used during the time of the Italian Renaissance, which makes its relevance extremely interesting. This was a…