Rock Crystal Statuette of a Dolphin

Unknown

3rd–5th century · Rock crystal · Medieval Art

This rock crystal carving found in a cistern in Carthage (now in Tunisia, North Africa) demonstrates the quality of the arts of that great city as the Roman world became Byzantine. The Roman naturalist Pliny, describing its beauty, believed crystal to come from snow. It was thought to protect against kidney ailments and other diseases.

Artist

Unknown

Date

3rd–5th century

Medium

Rock crystal

Culture

Roman or Byzantine

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Bequest of Ada Small Moore, 1955