Pilgrim Token of Saint Symeon

Description This token depicts the face of Symeon the Elder (d. 459), one of the early stylite saints (stylos is Greek for "column"), who for years stood in prayer atop a column in the Syrian desert. The columns of St. Symeon the Elder and his imitator, St. Symeon the Younger (d. 592), were famous pilgrim attractions during their lifetimes and for centuries after. Miraculous cures were believed to have been performed with tokens made of earth taken from near the base of the columns.

Exhibitions

• Treasures of Heaven. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland; The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; The British Museum, London. 2010-2011.

Provenance Simon Bendall, London, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1991, by purchase.

Credit Museum purchase, 1991