Detail View: The AMICA Library: Pendant Plaque

This Byzantine pendant, with a suspension ring carved as part of the plaque itself, was probably made in Egypt in the fourth or fifth century. It combines four different Christian symbols and was likely worn as a protective amulet.

From top to bottom, the carvings include the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha and omega, used to symbolize God's everlasting power, and the chi rho, the first two letters of Christ's name in Greek, a symbol that we are told the Roman emperor Constantine the Great?the first emperor to convert to Christianity?saw in a vision. The chi rho broadens out to form an anchor, a popular symbol of the salvation offered by Christ. The dolphins that swim toward the anchor also have Christian significance: the Greek word ichthys (fish) could also be used as an acrostic for the Greek phrase "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."