ampulla
- Museum number
- 1866,0612.1
- Description
-
Ampulla; clay; flat, circular sides with designs in relief. On each side, within a border of studs and a beaded circle, Saint Menas stands to front, his arms outstretched in blessing. Above each arm is a group of four studs. He has curly hair, and wears a short tunic and a long cloak, and is flanked by camels. Both sides are from moulds produced from the same archetype, but each varies slightly from the other due to differential wear of the moulds. Both handles are largely lost and the mouth is damaged. Light-brown clay with a buff surface.
- Production date
- 480-650 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 4 inches
- Curator's comments
- Terracotta IV
Donated: Greville J. Chester. Acquired in Alexandria.
Late Roman, about AD 480-650.
Comparanda:
Close: Lunsingh Scheurleer 1998: 3, fig. 4, bottom left = Willems and Clarysse 2000: 180, no. 60, dated fifth century AD.
Near: Heide and Thiel 2004: 142, no. iii.3.11, dated end of fifth to middle of seventh century AD; Metzger 1981: nos 22, from Edfu, and 23, from Alexandria, dated sixth to seventh century AD; Witt 2000: no. 19, dated end of fifth to mid-seventh century AD.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Handles and neck broken.
- Acquisition date
- 1866
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1866,0612.1
