Artwork Page for Pilgrim's Ampulla with Scenes of the Crucifixion (front) and the Ascension (back)

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Pilgrim's Ampulla with Scenes of the Crucifixion (front) and the Ascension (back)

c. 600

Byzantium, Palestine, early Byzantine period, early 7th Century

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Medium
tin-lead alloy with leather fragments
Measurements
Overall: 6.3 x 4.6 x 1.5 cm (2 1/2 x 1 13/16 x 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1999.46
Public Domain
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Location
105 Byzantine
Print

Description

The images found on the sides of surviving lead pilgrims' ampullae include scenes relating to the life of Christ, and by extension to the holy sites (loca sancta) where the events took place. Cast into the sides of this ampulla are scenes of Christ's Crucifixion and Ascension. The use of such sacred images on these vessels illustrates the early Christian belief that images were carriers of divine power. This ampulla is known as a "Monza" or "Bobbio" type after caches of similar examples discovered in those two Italian towns.
A circular tin-lead vessel features a cylindrical neck wrapped in dark leather. On our left, the weathered gray side shows the Crucifixion with Christ on a cross flanked by standing figures and Greek text around the rim. On our right, the Ascension depicts Christ in an oval frame held by angels above a group. Textured relief decorations cover the rounded body, and leather fragments bind the neck to the flask.

Pilgrim's Ampulla with Scenes of the Crucifixion (front) and the Ascension (back)

c. 600

Byzantium, Palestine, early Byzantine period, early 7th Century

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