COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
CMA_.1999.46
AMICA Library Year:
2001
Object Type:
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Nationality:
Asian; Middle Eastern; Palestinian
Creator Name-CRT:
Palestine, Early Byzantine, late 6th-early 7th Century
Title:
Pilgrim's Ampulla with Scenes of the Crucifixion (obverse) and the Ascension (reverse)
Title Type:
Primary
View:
Full View
Creation Date:
c. 600
Creation Start Date:
550
Creation End Date:
650
Materials and Techniques:
tin-lead alloy with leather fragments
Classification Term:
Metalwork
Style or Period Terms:
Early Byzantine
Dimensions:
Overall: 6.2cm x 4.2cm x 1.5cm
AMICA Contributor:
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Owner Location:
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
ID Number:
1999.46
Credit Line:
John L. Severance Fund
Context:
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.
Related Image Identifier Link:
CMA_.1999.46.tif
