New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.

Pilgrim flask | Ampulla

Artist Unknown

CultureRoman

Date3rd century A.D.-7th century A.D.

MediumTerracotta

DimensionsOverall: 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)

Credit LineBequest of Holladay Mitchell

Object number63.84.93

On View

Not on view

DescriptionAmpulla depicting St. Menas. Ancient Roman, Coptic Christian Pilgrim's flask. Coptic period, about 3rd century. Excavated at Alexandria. St. Menas-Bishop of Alexandria with nimbus over his head, killing the lions. Oil in flask was used to anoint the heads of Christians going forth to executions (very rare).

Published ReferencesCarl Maria Kaufmann, ZUR IKONOGRAPHIE DER MENAS-AMPULLEN, Cairo, 1910. (per Frances F. Jones 1985: Menas flask, 4th-7th c. A.D., check the locus classicus in this reference.)