Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History

The Metropolitan Museum of Art



  • Ampulla (Flask) of Saint Menas, late 500s–mid-700s
    Byzantine; Probably made at Abu Menas, near Alexandria, Egypt
    Terracotta

    3 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (8.9 x 6.4 cm)
    Rogers Fund, 1927 (27.94.19)

    Ampullae like this were used by pilgrims to carry water or oil home from the great pilgrimage site for Saint Menas, said to be a late third-century Egyptian Roman soldier who was martyred for his Christian faith. He is shown between the two camels that returned his body to Egypt for burial.

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  • Ampulla (Flask) of Saint Menas, late 500s–mid-700s
    Byzantine; Probably made at Abu Menas, near Alexandria, Egypt
    Terracotta

    3 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (8.9 x 6.4 cm)
    Rogers Fund, 1927 (27.94.19)