**Originally Listed At $200**

Near East, Byzantine Period, ca. 4th to 6th century CE. A fabulous pottery fragment from a mold-made ampulla or pilgrim's flask featuring the central tondo that adorned the body of the flask. The lovely tondo presents 3 figures - 1 large at the center and 2 smaller at the sides - surrounded by a circular border of Greek text, which translates to "Blessings of the Saints." Ampullae such as this example would have been brought back from a visit to a pilgrimage, similar to a souvenir, and would have held holy water from a shrine. Size: 2.1" in diameter (5.3 cm)

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#142831

Fragment of a larger piece. Repair to lower area with break lines visible. Stable hairline fissure on lower area. Some expected abrasions and softening of detail, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, very nice with light earthen deposits in some areas.