Anonymous, circa 10th century. Medallion (Lead, 57 mm, 33.00 g), "Eulogia" of St. Symeon Stylites the Younger. +EVΛOΓIA TOV AΓIOV CEIMONOC [TOV ΘAV]MATOVPΓOV ... ('Blessing of Saint Symeon the Miracle Worker') Nimbate half-length bust of St. Symeon the Younger, wearing monastic hood and holding book of Gospels, seated on column, flanked by two flying angels; below, on the left side of the column, Symeon’s mother St. Martha nimbate, standing right; on the right side of the column, Symeon’s disciple Konon nimbate, standing left, both with their hands raised in gesture of supplication; to left and right of Martha, Θ / M/A/[PΘ]A ('Saint Martha').
Rev. Large, elaborately decorated cross. Cf. Gary Vikan: Art, Medicine, and Magic in Early Byzantium, in: DO Papers 38 (1984), p. 65-86, fig. 7. A highly interesting and exceptionally large token of blessing associated with Byzantine pilgrimage. Some surface cracks and roughness
, otherwise, very fine.
From a European collection, acquired before 2021.
As their name suggests, "eulogia" tokens were material blessings that pilgrims could take home with them after they visited a holy site or a stylite saint, such as Saint Symeon the Younger, who reportedly lived on top of a pillar for 68 years. Originally made out of terracotta, later eulogia tokens such as ours were often produced in lead
