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Coin-set pendant of Emperor Constantine (reigned 306-337) Late Antique, 4th. Openwork gold medallion set with a coin and six medallion busts; this special double solidus is set in a hexagonal gold sheet,pierced with heart-shaped scrolls and set with six male and female busts in high relief. They may represent Greek gods, philosophers, muses or satyrs. The double solidi were issued in 321 and 324 to commemorate the second and third consulship of Constantine's sons, Crispus and Constantine II. M&ME,1984,5-1,1
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Coin-set pendant of Emperor Constantine (reigned 306-337) Late Antique, 4th. Op...

Brass hanging lamp with a griffin handle, Early Byzantine, 5th-6th century. The lamp is boat-shaped with holes for oil and wick. The curved neck of a griffin emerges from a calyx to form a handle. A dove sits between the griffin's ears, above a Christogram.Hanging chains may be original to the lamp, but it also has a bayonet fitting on the base for a stand. Found at Herculaneum,Italy. M&ME,1897,8-20,1
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Brass hanging lamp with a griffin handle, Early Byzantine, 5th-6th century. The...

The Lampsacus spoons, Early Byzantine, 6th. Six spoons from a set of twelve, the pear-shaped bowls attached by a disc to a tapering handle."O handsome youth, do not believe too much in beauty" reads the Latin inscription on one of these spoons. A rejoinder on the back of the handle, this time in Greek, adds "You cannot be beautiful without money:. The Greek texts are from an anthology of epigrams known as the "Sayings of the Seven Sages". The spoons were part of a large silver treasure found at Lapeski (ancient Lampascus) in Turkey. M&ME, 1848,6-1, 11-12
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The Lampsacus spoons, Early Byzantine, 6th. Six spoons from a set of twelve, the...

Gold medallion with the ascension of Christ,Early Byzantine, around 600. Two gold discs mounted back to back and embossed with scenes from the Life od Christ.Recto: The Ascension. Figures below hold up their hands in adoration. The Greek inscriotion translates "Our peace we leave with you" (John 14:27). M&ME 1983,7-4,1
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Gold medallion with the ascension of Christ,Early Byzantine, around 600. Two go...

Gold medallion with the Adoration of the Magi, obverse side of 30-01-08/6. Early Byzantine,around 600. Two gold discs mounted back to back. The three Magi approach the seated Virgin who holds the Christchild in her lap. The Magis'clothing shows their Persian origin: leggings, tunics and Phrygian caps. M&ME 1983,7-4,1
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Gold medallion with the Adoration of the Magi, obverse side of 30-01-08/6. Early...

Gold breast chain, Early Byzantine, around 600. A body ornament composed of two medallions and four openwork chains. The large medallions are composed of seven smaller openwork discs.The pierced designs in the form of quatrefoils and octofoils are repeated on the chain of 92 small discs. Largest piece of jewelry to have survived from the Early Byzantine period. M&ME, 1916,7-4,1
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Gold breast chain, Early Byzantine, around 600. A body ornament composed of two...

Silver chalice from the Kaper Koraon treasure, Early Byzantine, 7th. Sacred chalice with simple design on a flaring foot. The dedicatory inscription translates "In fulfillment of a vow of Sergios and John". It was a donation to the church of Kaper Karaon (modern Kurin, Syria); This chalice was originally part of the Koraon treasure. M&ME, 1914,4-15,1
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Silver chalice from the Kaper Koraon treasure, Early Byzantine, 7th. Sacred chal...

Archangel ivory panel, around 525-550 CE. An archangel is poised at the top of a flight of stairs,holding a staff in his left hand and an orb in his right, surmounted by a jewelled cross. His wings and body overlap fluted columns with composite capitals and an arch richly decorated with acanthus leaves. Probably carved in Constantinopel and associated with the accession of Justinian I in 527 CE. M&ME, OA 9999
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Archangel ivory panel, around 525-550 CE. An archangel is poised at the top of a...

Ivory pyxis with Saint Menas, Early Byzantine, 6th. This small pyxis shows two scenes from the life of Saint Menas, a semi-legendary Egyptian soldier martyred in the late 3rd century. He stands as a haloed orant,flanked by two camels associated with the story of his life. The four persons are probably parents and children who had the pyxis carved as a votive offering. M&ME, 1879,12-20,1
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Ivory pyxis with Saint Menas, Early Byzantine, 6th. This small pyxis shows two...

The Borradaile Triptych,Byzantine, 10th. Central panel depicts Christ on the cross, flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint John Evangelist. Archangels Michael and Gabriel on either side of Christ's head. Inscription says "Behold thy Son; behold thy Mother". Pairs of saints, identified by inscriptions, on the leaves to the sides. The triptych is named after Charles Borradaile who bought it in 1905/6. It is said to have come from a convent in Reims,France. M&ME, 1923,12-5,1
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The Borradaile Triptych,Byzantine, 10th. Central panel depicts Christ on the cro...

The Borradaile oliphant,Byzantine, 11th. A sounding horn carved with rows of interlocking medallions. An animal is displayed in each circle (winged griffins, heraldic eagles, lions, peacocks and snakes). Motifs are part Western, (the continuous scroll pattern of interlaced bands), part Arab influence. M&ME, 1923,12-5,3
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The Borradaile oliphant,Byzantine, 11th. A sounding horn carved with rows of int...

The Borradaile oliphant,Byzantine, 11th. A sounding horn carved with rows of interlocking medallions. An animal is displayed in each circle (winged griffins, heraldic eagles, lions, peacocks and snakes). Motifs are part Western, (the continuous scroll pattern of interlaced bands), part Arab influence. Reverse side of 30-01-08/17 M&ME, 1923,12-5,3
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The Borradaile oliphant,Byzantine, 11th. A sounding horn carved with rows of int...