Byzantine Silver Magical Plaque with St. Sisinnius

6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

1 1/4 in. (4.13 grams, 31 mm).

Ovoid plaque with incised amuletic ornament; obverse with nimbate horseman bearing a cross potent spearing a supine stylised female figure, Greek legend above 'oΑΓΟC CICINIC' (St. Sisinnius); reverse with advancing lion and Syrian and Greek legend relating to Μαρία η Αιγυπτία (St. Mary of Egypt).

Provenance

From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Footnotes

In Byzantine folklore, St Sisinnius was the supernatural horseman and opponent of the Gelloudes, a class of female witches.

CONDITION

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LOT 0176