Pilgrim Token of Saint Symeon
(Roman Empire )
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.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Simon Bendall, London, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1991, by purchase.
Exhibitions
2010-2011 | Treasures of Heaven. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland; The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; The British Museum, London. |
Geographies
Syria, Kalat Siman (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 1 1/8 x W: 7/8 x D: 1/2 in. (2.8 x 2.2 x 1.2 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, 1991
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
48.2666