Fragment from a Funerary Stele with a Medallion of a Cross and Leaves
Unknown Artist
6th–7th century
Medium
Limestone; carved in relief
Dimensions
H. 17 5/16 in. (44 cm) W. 28 9/16 in. (72.5 cm) D. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1910
Accession Number
10.175.89
Art Historical Context
This evocative fragment from a funeraryle, carved in low-relief limestone during the 6th–7th century, offers a glimpse into the spiritual life of early Christian communities in the Near East. Measuring about 17 inches high and 28 inches wide, it features a central medallion enclosing a cross flanked by flowing leaves, symbols of eternal life and resurrection in Christian iconography. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Rogers Fund in 1910, it now resides in the Islamic Art department highlighting the cultural overlaps in regions like Syria or Egypt during the formative years...