Pilgrim Flask

1981.2111.28

Information

Pottery pilgrim flask (ampulla) with a flat circular shaped body, narrow neck, and two handles for suspension. Both sides are moulded with an image of St. Menas, an Egyptian soldier who was martyred during the reign of the emperor Diocletian who reigned between AD 284–305. St. Menas is standing with arms outstretched in the early Christian pose of prayer. He stands between two crouching camels that carried his body to Abu Mina for burial. Above his arms are crosses and the whole image is surrounded by a concentric circular boarder. Large amount of surface ware and surface dirt to the body of the flask. Both handles present. The mouth / rim of the flask is not present. Wellcome Historical Medical Museum no. 105291.