Artwork Page for Phylactery (Reliquary Penant)

Details / Information for Phylactery (Reliquary Penant)

Phylactery (Reliquary Penant)

c. 500–700

Byzantium, Egypt or Syria, early Byzantine period, 6th-8th centuries

Medium
copper alloy
Measurements
Diameter: 3.2 cm (1 1/4 in.); Overall: 7.8 cm (3 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Bruce Ferrini in memory of Robert P. Bergman 1999.237
Public Domain
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Location
105 Byzantine
Print
?

Did You Know?

This was gifted to the museum in memory of Robert P. Bergman, former director of the museum and medievalist.

Description

Made in the 500s, this Byzantine phylactery, or personal reliquary, was meant to be worn around the neck on a chain. It is fashioned of bronze and still contains its original linen-wrapped relic.
A copper alloy reliquary pendant, aged with a mottled green patina, consists of a plain top ring from which intertwined chains descend. These connect to a circular container featuring an openwork face of ten rounded openings encircling a central hole, revealing tan textile inside. The container, hinged at the top, rests on three small, pointed feet. The textured metal surfaces show shades of dark green and brown weathering.

Phylactery (Reliquary Penant)

c. 500–700

Byzantium, Egypt or Syria, early Byzantine period, 6th-8th centuries

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