Judeo-Christian Pendant Depicting Menorah and Sacrifice of Isaac

382, Lot: 653. Estimate $100. Sold for $2300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ROMANO-BYZANTINE. Judaeo-Christian Lead Pedant. Circa 4th-6th/8th centuries AD. Menorah; shofar (ram’s horn) to left; Torah scroll to right; all within ornate border / Draped male figure facing slightly right; to left, angel above sheep or ram standing right; other figure(s) to left. Dimensions: Weight: 6.78g; Horizontal diameter: 24mm; Vertical diameter: 30mm (including suspension loop. See S. Fine, “When is a “Menorah” Jewish?: On the Complexities of a Symbol during the Age of Transition,” in Age of Transition: Byzantine Culture in the Islamic World, pp. 38-53 (for early Christian usage of the Menorah) and fig. 15 (for obv. type). As made, earthen gray-green patina. With original suspension loop attached. type). As made, earthen gray-green patina,. With original suspension loop attached.

An interesting example of Judeo-Christian usage of symbols, with the reverse scene possibly depicting the sacrifice of Isaac.