Anonymous, 6th-7th centuries. Amulet (Lead, 23 mm, 6.00 g, 12 h). The entry of Christ into Jerusalem: Jesus Christ riding on the back of a donkey to right, raising his left hand and holding long cross in his right; before him, kneeling figure laying down garment in front of Christ; in the background, the city gate of Jerusalem (the eastern or Golden Gate, according to tradition). Rev. An enthroned figure to right; before him, reclining bull. Unpublished in the standard references. A highly interesting early Christian amulet. Holed trice, otherwise, good very fine.



The obverse imagery on this amulet shows the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem, a key event that marks the beginning of the Passion story. In early Christian art, the scene resembles a Roman Adventus scene, showing Christ raising his right hand in a gesture of greeting.