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Roundel with Christogram
Roundel with Christogram

- Collection ID
- ATQ.000006
- Type
- Antiquity
- Date
- Late 5th–6th century AD
- Geography
- Unknown
- Language
- Greek
- Medium
- Marble
- Dimensions
- 23.6 in. (60 cm) diameter
- Exhibit Location
- On View in The History of the Bible, The Written Tradition
This roundel is carved in high relief in a style that is eye-catching and meant to be seen from a distance. It likely once adorned the exterior of an early church and would have been part of a larger design. The central medallion consists of a Christogram, an early symbol merging the first two letters of the word Christ in Greek, Χ (chi) and Ρ (rho). In the spaces between the left and right arms of the chi, are two additional Greek letters, α (alpha) and ω (omega). A laurel wreath surrounds the central medallion, and this is further surrounded by a vine motif consisting of alternating ivy and grape leaves.
This roundel is carved in high relief in a style that is eye-catching and meant to be seen from a distance. It likely once adorned the exterior of an early church and would have been part of a larger design. The central medallion consists of a Christogram, an early symbol merging the first two letters of the word Christ in Greek, Χ (chi) and Ρ (rho). In the spaces between the left and right arms of the chi, are two additional Greek letters, α (alpha) and ω (omega). A laurel wreath surrounds the central medallion, and this is further surrounded by a vine motif consisting of alternating ivy and grape leaves.
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