|
Pilgrim Relic Token. Circa 7th century AD. Terracotta (24mm, 6.63 g). Female figure seated left being crowned by angel to right; river god swimming below / Blank. Roma E-Sale 105, 1370. As made.
This interesting pilgrim token featuring a design strikingly similar to the Tyche, Nike and Orontes types common in Roman Provincial coinage from the Levante and Cilicia. Were it not of Christian manufacture, its design could otherwise be identified as Tyche seated left on rocks, being crowned by Nike; river god swimming below. The clash presented here between pagan iconography and fervent religious Christian pilgrimage makes for an interesting dichotomy all in one small token. Perhaps this relic token was used as a regional identifier by a monastery, possibly near Aleppo or Antioch, choosing to employ familiar local art despite its pagan background.
Closing Date and Time: 8 February 2023 at 13:58:40 ET.
All winning bids are subject to an 20% buyer’s fee.
|
