Skip to main content
Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.
Menu
Main navigation
Visit
Toggle Visit submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Visit
—
Visit
—
Family visits
—
Group visits
—
Audio app
—
Out-of-hours tours
—
Tours and talks
—
Object trails
—
Accessibility
—
Food and drink
—
Late opening on Fridays
—
Museum map
Exhibitions and events
Collection
Toggle Collection submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Collection
—
Collection
—
Collection online
—
Galleries
—
Blog
—
The British Museum podcast
Learn
Toggle Learn submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Learn
—
Learn
—
Schools
—
Communities
—
Adult learning
—
Young people
Membership
Toggle Membership submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Membership
—
Membership
—
Renew Membership
—
Events
—
Buy Membership
—
Young Friends
—
Existing Members
—
Buy Under 26 Membership
—
Upgrade your Membership
—
How your money helps
—
Buy Gift Membership
—
Visiting as a Member
—
Members' Room
Support us
Toggle Support us submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Support us
—
Donate
—
Corporate support
—
Become a Patron
—
Supporter case studies
—
Become a Volunteer
—
Existing Patrons
—
Leave a legacy
—
American Friends of the British Museum
Secondary navigation
Shop
Search
Donate
Hide menu
ampulla
Object Type
ampulla
Museum number
1878,1018.4
Description
Earthenware ampulla. On each side, within a narrow plain border, Saint Menas stands to front, his arms outstretched in blessing. A relief inscription is divided by his head. He has curly hair, and wears a short tunic, a long cloak and boots, and is flanked by camels. Both sides are from moulds produced from the same archetype. The mouth and handles are largely lost.
Cultures/periods
Early Byzantine
Production date
480-650
(circa)
Production place
Made in:
Alexandria (Egypt)
Findspot
Found/Acquired:
St Menas
, shrine
Materials
clay
Technique
relief
Dimensions
Height:
4.50 inches
$Inscriptions
Bibliographic references
Dalton 1901 / Catalogue of Early Christian Antiquities and Objects from the Christian East in the Department of British and Medieval Antiquities and Ethnography of the British Museum
(861)
Terracotta / Catalogue of Terracottas in the British Museum
(3406)
Location
Not on display
Condition
Imperfect.
Subjects
saint/martyr
Associated names
Named in inscription & portrayed:
St Menas
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Rev Greville John Chester
Acquisition date
1878
Department
Britain, Europe and Prehistory
Registration number
1878,1018.4
Additional IDs
Miscellaneous number:
OA.2409
Conservation
Treatment
: 30 Aug 1999