Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XV 5 Apr 2018
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Byzantine Æ Medallic Icon of the Epiphany. Ravenna, 6-7th century AD. EMMA-NVHL, bust of Christ facing, with cross nimbus behind head with flowing hair and beard and wearing pallium over colobium / Scene of the Adoration of the Magi: the three magi dressed in Persian style robes, cloaks and Phrygian caps, bearing gifts and standing reverently to right before the nimbate infant Jesus whose right hand is raised in benediction, sitting upright on the lap of Mary seated on a high back chair to left; star of Bethlehem above, two doves below. Exhibited at the 3rd Congress of Christian Archaeology, cf. Atti del III Congresso Internazionale di Archeologia Cristiana, Ravenna 25-29 September 1932, Studi di antichità Cristiana 8, Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana, Città del Vaticano 1934; for a similar 6-7th century medallion in gold also with adoration scene, see BM 1983,0704.1. 9.50g, 24mm, 11h.
As Struck. Unique, and of great historical and theological interest.
Exhibited at the 3rd Congress of Christian Archaeology, 1932 (sold with contemporary congress envelope dated "25 - 29 Sett. 1932 X".
This remarkable medal depicts on the obverse a very early lifelike image of Christ as seen on several mosaic scenes in the church of St. Apollinare in Classis, Ravenna, dated to the reign of Justinian I (527-565) and a fresco on a wall of the Catacomb of Commodilla on the Via Ostiense in the periphery of Rome, dated to the reign of Constantine IV (668-685). The Romanised title Emmanuel derives from the Hebrew Immanu'El ('God with us'), and appears in the Book of Isaiah as a sign that God will protect the House of David. The Gospel of St Matthew (1:22-3) quotes part of this: 'a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel', as a prophecy of the birth of the Messiah and the fulfilment of Scripture in the person of Jesus.
With the possible exception of the Good Shepherd, the scene of the magi in worshipful adoration before the Holy Child is the earliest and most frequent artistic representation of Jesus' life and ministry. The iconography is in the style of the celebrated mosaic of the Epiphany scene in the church of St. Apollinare.
As Struck. Unique, and of great historical and theological interest.
Exhibited at the 3rd Congress of Christian Archaeology, 1932 (sold with contemporary congress envelope dated "25 - 29 Sett. 1932 X".
This remarkable medal depicts on the obverse a very early lifelike image of Christ as seen on several mosaic scenes in the church of St. Apollinare in Classis, Ravenna, dated to the reign of Justinian I (527-565) and a fresco on a wall of the Catacomb of Commodilla on the Via Ostiense in the periphery of Rome, dated to the reign of Constantine IV (668-685). The Romanised title Emmanuel derives from the Hebrew Immanu'El ('God with us'), and appears in the Book of Isaiah as a sign that God will protect the House of David. The Gospel of St Matthew (1:22-3) quotes part of this: 'a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel', as a prophecy of the birth of the Messiah and the fulfilment of Scripture in the person of Jesus.
With the possible exception of the Good Shepherd, the scene of the magi in worshipful adoration before the Holy Child is the earliest and most frequent artistic representation of Jesus' life and ministry. The iconography is in the style of the celebrated mosaic of the Epiphany scene in the church of St. Apollinare.