Dumbarton Oaks - St. John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist

Late Byzantine
14h century - 16th century (Palaeologan period or possibly post-Byzantine)
2.7 cm x 2.2 cm x 0.3 cm (1 1/16 in. x 7/8 in. x 1/8 in.)
carnelian
BZ.1975.5

Not on view

Permalink: http://museum.doaks.org/objects-1/info/27395

Additional Images

obverse

Reverse

Description

Waist length bust, head in profile, with inscription; intaglio carved in reverse (as though) intended to be used as a seal. The top is drilled to allow the stone to hang as a pendant.

Acquisition History

Collection of Mildred Barnes and Robert Woods Bliss, Washington, D.C. by 1958;

Bequest of Mildred Barnes Bliss (1879-1969), January 17, 1969;[1]

Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Byzantine Collection, Washington, D.C.

Notes:
[1] This object is listed in the probate record as "Carnelian figure of Saint John the Baptist." It evidentally was never given an accession number at that time. When it was discovered in 1975 in a box left in the safe at Dumbarton Oaks by Mildred Barnes Bliss, it was accessioned as BZ.1975.5.

Object Last Modified: 11/16/2023