Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
Byzantine, Coptic & Early Christian · c. 300 – 1453

Other & unsorted Byzantine

What it is

Objects from this tradition that do not fit the types above, or whose catalogue records are too brief to sort further. Browse them for unusual forms.

History

Early Christians inherited the full Roman amulet tradition, and church leaders fought it for centuries. John Chrysostom mocked mothers who tied bells and coins on babies, and the Council of Laodicea (c. 363) banned clergy from making phylacteries. Instead of disappearing, amulets were Christianised: Solomon became the demon-binder, saints replaced heroes, and relics, holy oil and earth from pilgrimage shrines became the most powerful protection of all. Byzantine amulets combined Greek magical formulas with the cross, the Trisagion and saints' names. The tradition fed Russian, Georgian, Armenian and Ethiopian Christian amulets and the pilgrimage souvenirs of medieval Europe.

Making yours
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Byzantine, Coptic & Early Christian: the tradition

Early Christians inherited the full Roman amulet tradition, and church leaders fought it for centuries. John Chrysostom mocked mothers who tied bells and coins on babies, and the Council of Laodicea (c. 363) banned clergy from making phylacteries. Instead of disappearing, amulets were Christianised: Solomon became the demon-binder, saints replaced heroes, and relics, holy oil and earth from pilgrimage shrines became the most powerful protection of all. Byzantine amulets combined Greek magical formulas with the cross, the Trisagion and saints' names. The tradition fed Russian, Georgian, Armenian and Ethiopian Christian amulets and the pilgrimage souvenirs of medieval Europe.

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Biconical BeadBiconical BeadGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Christ PantocratorChrist PantocratorIstanbul (City) · 10th centuryThe Fieschi Morgan StaurothekeThe Fieschi Morgan StaurothekeByzantine · early 9th centuryNecklace with AmuletsNecklace with AmuletsMediterranean Region · 1st-4th centuryRoosterRoosterThessalía · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Necklace with Gold Marriage Medallion and Hematite AmuletNecklace with Gold Marriage Medallion and Hematite Amulet400–450 (medallion); 100–200 (amulet)[Amulette ?. Empire byzantin, Indéterminé][Amulette ?. Empire byzantin, Indéterminé]FranceBeads and AmuletsBeads and Amulets4 th century date QS:P571,+350-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Biconical Bead NecklaceBiconical Bead NecklaceGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Oinochoe (Pitcher)Oinochoe (Pitcher)Thessalía · 800-700 BCEAmuletAmulet4th–7th century[Amulet?. Anonymous, Byzantine Empire, Undetermined][Amulet?. Anonymous, Byzantine Empire, Undetermined]FranceBeads and AmuletsBeads and Amulets4 th century date QS:P571,+350-00-00T00:00:00Z/7AltarAltarGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Ring with Ingot BezelRing with Ingot BezelThessalía · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)[Amulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, Indéterminé][Amulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, Indéterminé]FranceBeads and AmuletsBeads and Amulets4 th century date QS:P571,+350-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Bird on a KnobBird on a KnobGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Leech Fibula (Brooch)Leech Fibula (Brooch)Thessalía · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Beads and AmuletsBeads and Amulets4 th century date QS:P571,+350-00-00T00:00:00Z/7BellBellGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Seal with QuadrupedSeal with QuadrupedThessalía · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Amulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, IndéterminéAmulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, IndéterminéBow Fibula (wire)Bow Fibula (wire)Greece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Spiral FibulaSpiral FibulaThessalía · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Amulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, IndéterminéAmulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, IndéterminéBiconical BeadBiconical BeadGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Pin ShankPin ShankThessalía · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Amulette ?. Empire byzantin, IndéterminéAmulette ?. Empire byzantin, IndéterminéBow FibulaBow FibulaGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Spiral FibulaSpiral FibulaThessalía · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Bronze Mould for Making Amulets, 13th-19th Century (28475561685)Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Bronze Mould for Making Amulets, 13th-19th Century (28475561685)Bird with Flat TailBird with Flat TailGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Fibula (leech type)Fibula (leech type)Thessalía · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Amulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, IndéterminéAmulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, IndéterminéBiconical BeadBiconical BeadGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Spiral FibulaSpiral FibulaThessalía · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Amulette ?. Empire byzantin, IndéterminéAmulette ?. Empire byzantin, IndéterminéBow Fibula (Brooch)Bow Fibula (Brooch)Greece · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)QuadrupedQuadrupedThessalía · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Bronze amulet pendant. Byzantine, 10th-12th centuryBronze amulet pendant. Byzantine, 10th-12th centuryBow FibulaBow FibulaGreece · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Fibula (leech type)Fibula (leech type)Thessalía · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Amulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, IndéterminéAmulette ?. Anonyme, Empire byzantin, IndéterminéBird on Pole on StandBird on Pole on StandGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Seal with QuadrupedSeal with QuadrupedThessalía · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)AmuletAmulet4th–7th centuryBird on BellBird on BellGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Fibula (leech type)Fibula (leech type)Thessalía · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Bird FragmentBird FragmentGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Harness RingHarness RingThessalía · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Biconical Bead with BirdBiconical Bead with BirdGreece · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Harness RingHarness RingThessalía · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Bird on Broken StandBird on Broken StandGreece · Geometric Period (early 7th century BCE)Harness Ring with QuadrupedHarness Ring with QuadrupedThessalía · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Bird with Flat LegsBird with Flat LegsGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)Seal with QuadrupedSeal with QuadrupedThessalía · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)JugJugGreece · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Disc, Chariot WheelDisc, Chariot WheelThessalía · Geometric Period (800–700 BCE)Bird Head FragmentBird Head FragmentGreece · Geometric Period (800–600 BCE)

More from Byzantine, Coptic & Early Christian: Holy Rider & Solomon amulets · Encolpia & reliquary crosses · Pilgrim flasks & eulogia tokens
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.