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Connections

Two Liturgical Christian Crosses connected by a chain

Early Byzantine

Bronze

4-6^thc. CE

Gift of James E. and Elizabeth J. Ferrell. 2014.28.23.

These two crosses and the chain that connects them may originally have been part of or decorated liturgical apparatus such as a complex hanging lamp (polycandelon) or censer. The proportions of the arms of the crosses are characteristic of Early Byzantine work.

Christogram

Roman (Tunisian)

350-430 CE

Red slip ware

1996.5.66

The dry red clay and the character of its impressed decoration identify this oil lamp as a product of the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis (approximately modern Tunisia) in the latter part of the Roman empire. The symbol on top combines the first two letter’s of Christ’s name (Greek chi-rho, XP), indicating that this was made for the early Christian community.