ampulla
- Museum number
- 1876,1014.5
- Description
-
Earthenware ampulla: on side (a), within a border of incuse points and a wreath, Saint Menas stands to front, his arms outstretched in blessing. Above each arm is an uncertain device. He has curly hair, and wears a short tunic and a long cloak, and is flanked by camels. On side (b), Saint Thekla stands to front, bound, between two bulls and two hounds (or a hound and a bear). She has hair to her shoulders (it is probably not a nimbus) and drapery falling to the ground: how far she is otherwise naked is not easy to tell. The mouth and most of one handle are broken away. Orange clay with a buff surface.
- Production date
- 480-650 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 5.50 inches
- Curator's comments
- Terracotta IV
Purchased: Greville J. Chester. Acquired in Egypt.
Late Roman, about AD 480-650.
Comparanda:
Sides (a) and (b): close: Witt 2000: no. 43, from Abu Mena, dated end of fifth to mid-seventh century AD.
Side (b): close, perhaps from same mould-series: Kiss 1989a: no. 5, from Kom el-Dikka, Alexandria, context AD 480-560; von Falck and Lichtwark 1996: 165, no. 142b, dated end of fifth to middle of seventh century AD. Close: Dutilh 1904: pl. 1, fig. 7, from Alexandria; Kaufmann 1910: 142, fig. 85, dated fourth to fifth century AD; Metzger 1981: no. 76b, dated sixth to seventh century AD; Williams 1936: 80, fig. 5.
Bibliog: Dalton 1901: no. 882; Murray 1907: 116 and pl. iii:1; Kiss 1989a: 16n. 9 and 20, no. 4.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- The surfaces considerably worn.
- Acquisition date
- 1876
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1876,1014.5