The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 12, 2026

A tan terracotta pilgrim's flask features a flattened, circular body with a loop handle on our left and a short spout on our right. Its weathered surface bears a central medallion in relief. Saint Menas stands with arms outstretched, flanked by two crouching camels at his feet. Small, raised dots punctuate the medallion's border. This rugged vessel exhibits a coarse, sandy texture and muted, earthy coloration.

Pilgrim's Flask with Saint Menas

400–600

Egypt, Coptic period

terracotta
Overall: 8.7 x 6.5 cm (3 7/16 x 2 9/16 in.)
Gift of Bruce Ferrini in memory of Robert P. Bergman 1999.232
Location: 105 Byzantine

Description

These flasks bear the image of Saint Menas, an early martyr of the Christian Church whose shrine was in the desert southwest of Alexandria in Egypt. These flasks were probably used by pilgrims to hold oil taken from the lamp that burned over this saint's tomb. Probably manufactured near the shrine, pilgrim's flasks often bear decorations hinting at their place of origin, as is the case here.
  • Cleveland Museum of Art, “Cleveland Museum of Art Acquires Rare Chinese Paintings, Baroque Porcelain Plaque and Other New Acquisitions Exhibited with Hanging Scrolls,” December 20, 1999, Cleveland Museum of Art Archives. archive.org
  • {{cite web|title=Pilgrim's Flask with Saint Menas|url=false|author=|year=400–600|access-date=12 June 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1999.232