The Attarouthi Treasure - Chalice

Unknown

500–650 · Silver and gilded silver · Medieval Art

With stars and crosses Inscribed in Greek: Of Saint John of the village of Tarothis The stars probably represent the star of Bethlehem that announced Christ's birth, the crosses the manner of his death. They are symbols of the birth and death of Christ, events commemorated in the Eucharist for which these chalices were made.

Artist

Unknown

Date

500–650

Medium

Silver and gilded silver

Culture

Byzantine

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Purchase, Rogers Fund and Henry J. and Drue E. Heinz Foundation, Norbert Schimmel, and Lila Acheson Wallace Gifts, 1986