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Fish Gem
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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 <em>Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter</em> which translates as <em>Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.</em>
| Artist / Maker | Syria(?) or Anatolia, early Christian |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 250–350 CE |
| Culture / Origin | Syria(?) or Anatolia, early Christian |
| Medium | rock crystal |
| Dimensions | Overall: 3.5 x 7.5 cm (1 3/8 x 2 15/16 in.) |
| Department | Medieval Art |
| Type | Glyptic |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
Fine-art shipping with climate control and full insurance to over 120 countries; collection by appointment.
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