Hanging Lamp with a Hand Holding a Cross

Byzantine

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 300

The flowerlike terminals of the lamp arms held glass vessels full of oil. The hand was probably an offering for a cure as suggested by the large Greek inscription on the cross, “Christ help [me],” and by the inclusion of healing saints. “Saints Kosmas and Damianos be praised” is inscribed over the twin medical saints whose medical kits are at the base. The other figures are Saint Stephen at the center, flanked by Saints Paul (left) and Peter (right), with the Virgin and Child enthroned above.

Hanging Lamp with a Hand Holding a Cross, Copper alloy, Byzantine

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.