amulet; electrotype

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Object Type: amulet; electrotype
Museum number: 1938,1010.1
Description: Electrotype of a 6thC gem; bronze; oval. On the obverse: four rows of New Testament narrative imagery and inscriptions. The scenes depicted include (from top to bottom) a haloed face of God in a mandorla held up by angels, the Annunciation to the Shepherds and Adoration of the Magi, Christ's healing miracles (the demoniac, the woman with an issue of blood, the paralytic, etc.), and the Marriage at Cana (Christ with two figures holding hands under a canopy, wine jars on their right). On the reverse: winged male figure at the top with crocodiles at his feet, surrounded by magic symbols. Below this are seven lines of Greek script, with two lions and the star of David at the bottom.
Cultures/periods
Production date: 6thC; 20thC
Materials
Technique
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: According to Barb 1964, p.10, this is an electrotype replica of a Byzantine original.
Bibliographic references: Ainalov 1961 / The Hellenistic Origins of Byzantine Art (p.250-255); Barb 1964 / Three Elusive Amulets (p.10-17); Elsner et al 2017 / Imagining the Divine: Art and the Rise of World Religions (29)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: mammal; adoration of magi; angel; symbol; magic; adoration of shepherds; christ; crocodile
Associated names: Representation of: Jesus Christ; Representation of: Virgin Mary; Representation of: St Joseph; Representation of: Caspar; Representation of: Balthazar; Representation of: Melchior; Representation of: God; Representation of: Magi; Named in inscription: Solomon; Named in inscription: Archangel Michael; Named in inscription: Archangel Gabriel; Named in inscription: Archangel Uriel; Named in inscription: Archangel Raphael
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1938
Department: Britain, Europe and Prehistory
Registration number: 1938,1010.1

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