Apr 17, 2008
Apr 17, 2008

Fish Gem

Fish Gem

c. 250–350

Rock crystal

Overall: 3.5 x 7.5 cm (1 3/8 x 2 15/16 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1954.592

Description

To avoid punishment, early Christians practiced their faith in secret. Images of fish were part of a code developed to refer to Jesus Christ. To those in the know, the Greek word for fish (ICHTHYS), was an acronym for the phrase Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter which translates as Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.

See also
Department: 
Medieval Art
Type of artwork: 
Glyptic
Medium: 
Rock crystal

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