ampulla
- Museum number
- 1883,0713.3
- Description
-
Ampulla; clay; flat, circular sides with designs in relief. On side (a), within a plain raised border, Saint Menas stands to front, his arms outstretched in blessing. Above each arm are two chevrons. He has curly hair, and wears a short tunic, but his cloak is indicated only by a diagonal line across the chest; he has high boots, and is flanked by camels. On side (b), within a plain border and a wreath tied at the bottom (but the whole decorated side is turned 90° clockwise), is a cross surrounded by an inscription. The mouth and handles are largely lost. Orange clay with a buff surface.
- Production date
- 480-650 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 2.85 inches
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Terracotta IV
Donated: Greville J. Chester.
Late Roman, about AD 480-650.
Comparanda: Sides (a) and (b): close: Kiss 1989a: nos 30 and 31, from Kom el-Dikka, Alexandria, context of AD 560-610.
Side (b): close, but turned more clockwise: Rassart-Debergh 1976: 48, top, dated fifth century AD. Close, but turned more anticlockwise: von Falck and Lichtwark 1996: 163, no. 138b, dated end of fifth to middle of seventh century AD. Near: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, no. 1891.117, acquired by the vendor at Akhmim; Kaufmann 1908: 114, fig. 75:17, from Abu Mena.
Bibliog: Murray 1907: pl. iv:3.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Very rough work.
- Acquisition date
- 1883
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1883,0713.3
