On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
One of a Pair of Flabella
Not on view
Flabella (kšoc‘), or liturgical fans, symbolize the six-winged seraphim and the tetramorph cherubim, heavenly creatures that sing the praises of God in Majesty and stand guard over Him. Originally used to keep insects away from the sacrament, flabella took on the ceremonial role of imperial standards and were carried on poles in liturgical processions. This flabellum strongly resembles those produced in Constantinople but may have been made locally around Lake Sevan.
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