Stake attention in this memory
The image captures a section of a museum exhibit, likely located in London, United Kingdom, showcasing ancient artifacts behind glass. The upper portion of the frame displays two distinct exhibition cases. On the left, against a reddish-brown background, are several gold artifacts. These include two prominent gold crosses, one featuring an elaborate design with a loop at the bottom, and another simpler cross. Below these are three smaller, circular gold objects, possibly earrings or pendants, arranged vertically. A label titled "Sacred imagery on dress accessories" explains that wealthy Christians used lavish jewelry, like cross-shaped buckles and pendants decorated with sacred images, to proclaim their devotion and for protective powers. It mentions images of Christ, the Virgin, saints, and peacocks on Byzantine jewelry, noting their symbolic meaning of eternal life. The text refers to a disc pendant showing the Magi, and mentions physician Alexander of Tralles (AD 500s) recommending octagonal jewelry for colic. On the right, against a white background, a translucent glass bottle or ampulla with an ornate, ridged body stands next to a shallow metal bowl filled with numerous small, silver-colored disc-shaped objects, possibly coins or tokens. The accompanying label, titled "Pilgrimage," describes the importance of journeys to religious sites in early Christianity. It details souvenirs sold at pilgrim sites, such as glass bottles for holy water, oil, or earth, and terracotta tokens stamped with Christian scenes. The label specifically mentions the "ivory pyxis (round box) and terracotta ampulla (flask)" depicting Saint Menas with camels, whose shrine near Alexandria was a popular pilgrimage site. It recounts Menas's execution by Emperor Diocletian (AD 284-300) and the miraculous sign of his burial. A reflection of further text, partially legible on the bottom glass panel, appears to relate to "a mosaic floor (above)," discussing roundels, a Roman villa, the pagan god Dionysus, and Christian allegory.
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