id: 160977 accession number: 1999.233 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1999.233 updated: 2023-03-15 15:46:35.838000 Pilgrim's Flask with Saint Menas, 400–600. Egypt, Coptic, 400s-500s. Terracotta; overall: 6.7 x 7.2 cm (2 5/8 x 2 13/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Bruce Ferrini in memory of Robert P. Bergman 1999.233 title: Pilgrim's Flask with Saint Menas title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: 400–600 creation date earliest: 400 creation date latest: 599 current location: 105 Byzantine creditline: Gift of Bruce Ferrini in memory of Robert P. Bergman copyright: --- culture: Egypt, Coptic, 400s-500s technique: terracotta department: Medieval Art collection: MED - Byzantine type: Ceramic find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS --- measurements: Overall: 6.7 x 7.2 cm (2 5/8 x 2 13/16 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS --- PROVENANCE --- fun fact: digital description: wall description: These flasks bear the image of Saint Menas, an early martyr of the Christian Church whose shrine was in the desert southwest of Alexandria in Egypt. These flasks were probably used by pilgrims to hold oil taken from the lamp that burned over this saint's tomb. Probably manufactured near the shrine, pilgrim's flasks often bear decorations hinting at their place of origin, as is the case here. --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS Cleveland Museum of Art, “Cleveland Museum of Art Acquires Rare Chinese Paintings, Baroque Porcelain Plaque and Other New Acquisitions Exhibited with Hanging Scrolls,” December 20, 1999, Cleveland Museum of Art Archives. page number: url: https://archive.org/details/cmapr4305 --- IMAGES web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1999.233/1999.233_web.jpg print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1999.233/1999.233_print.jpg full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1999.233/1999.233_full.tif