From Allegory to Icon:

The Christian Church Triumphant (cat. 16-30)

23 Ampulla with St. Menas Terracotta Early Christian a. 610-641 AD Height: 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm.)

Within a beaded medallion, the martyred Egyptian soldier, St. Menas, identified by the two flanking camels, stands orant with twin crosses on either side of his head. The tomb of St. Menas, at Abu Mena in Alexandria was the most important pilgrimage site in Egypt during the Early Christian period and this easily identifiable iconic image probably reflects a large-scale relief sculpture housed in the tomb chamber. Such images of the Saint were thought to possess apotropaic properties and similar ampullae, found throughout the Mediterranean world, attest to the widespread popularity of the St. Menas cult. The ampullae were either filled with oil from the lamps over Menas' tomb or with holy water, at which point they became talismanic and bestowed their healing properties on the owner.

Please select from the thumbnails below: