E01939.jpg (25.83 kB)
E01939: Inscribed element of a reliquary cross with labelled depictions of probably *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), and possibly *Nicholas (bishop of Myra under Constantine, S00520), and *Helena (empress and mother of Constantine, ob. 328, S00185). Reportedly seen in Ḥimṣ/Emesa (northwest Phoenicia). Probably 6th-7th c.
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posted on 2016-10-18, 00:00 authored by pnowakowskiA thin bronze cross-shaped plaque with loops on the upper and lower arms. H. 0.095 m. Thought to be the cover of a reliquary cross. Reportedly seen in Ḥimṣ/Emesa by R.P.N. Karam (probably in an antiquities market) and communicated to René Mouterde in 1934. First published by Mouterde in 1959 with a drawing.
The left hand arm is decorated with an engraving of the bust of a woman holding a small cross in front of her. Next to this image there is an inscription:
Νη̣κ(όλαος) (?)
Ἑλέ-
να.
'Nicholas (?). Helena.'
The right-hand arm bears an image of the bust of a man and the inscription:
ὁ με-
ίσ<ος> Στέ(φανος) (?)
'In the middle Stephen.'
The vertical arm of the cross is occupied by a full-size depiction of a standing man with a nimbus, blessing with his right hand and holding a book in his left hand. Above him there is a bust of a man with a nimbus.
The left hand arm is decorated with an engraving of the bust of a woman holding a small cross in front of her. Next to this image there is an inscription:
Νη̣κ(όλαος) (?)
Ἑλέ-
να.
'Nicholas (?). Helena.'
The right-hand arm bears an image of the bust of a man and the inscription:
ὁ με-
ίσ<ος> Στέ(φανος) (?)
'In the middle Stephen.'
The vertical arm of the cross is occupied by a full-size depiction of a standing man with a nimbus, blessing with his right hand and holding a book in his left hand. Above him there is a bust of a man with a nimbus.
History
Evidence ID
E01939Saint Name
Stephen, the First Martyr : S00030 Helena, empress, mother of Constantine, ob. 328 : S00185 Nicholas, bishop of Myra (Lycia, south Asia Minor), ob. 343 : S00520Saint Name in Source
Στέφανος Ἑλένα ΝηκόλαοςRelated Saint Records
Image Caption 1
Drawing. From: IGLS 5, 200.Type of Evidence
Inscriptions - Inscribed objects Images and objects - Other portable objects (metalwork, ivory, etc.) Archaeological and architectural - Extant reliquaries and related fixtures Images and objects - Representative imagesLanguage
- Greek
