‛Secondary’ Figurative Elements as Hints for Function? The case
of the St Menas ivory pyxis

k 2023

‛Secondary’ Figurative Elements as Hints for Function? The case of the St Menas ivory pyxis

CAMPINI, Ruben

Basic information

Original name

‛Secondary’ Figurative Elements as Hints for Function? The case of the St Menas ivory pyxis

Authors

CAMPINI, Ruben

Edition

Peripheral Vision. Marginal Themes, Motifs, Locations in Byzantine Literature and Art, 2023

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Prezentace na konferencích

Field of Study

60401 Arts, Art history

Country of publisher

Czech Republic

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

Keywords in English

St Menas, Ivory Pyxis, Abu Mena, Rome, St Paul Outside the Walls, Relics, Late Antiquity

Abstract

V originále

The present paper focuses on the ivory pyxis depicting the martyrdom and sanctuary of Saint Menas displayed at the British Museum in London. Specifically, it aims to tackle the question of its original function and context of the use, which, as in the case of those of the almost fifty other exemplars surviving from Late Antiquity (fourth–seventh centuries CE), are still shrouded in mystery. Remarkably, the object is the only example whose decorations are devoted to a saint and thus constitutes an interesting exception in the frame of the study of these precious containers. Therefore, my contribution will suggest – albeit without irrefutable evidence – three different lines of interpretation that will re-locate the object into three different functional contexts on the bases of iconographical, archaeological, and textual evidence. Ultimately, the contribution wishes to make a further step towards de-marginalizing these mysterious vessels.

Links

MUNI/A/1321/2022, interní kód MU

Name: Moc, rituály a smrt ve středověku

Investor: Masaryk University, Power, Ritual and Death in the Middle Ages

Detailed Information on Publication Record