Photo of collection object Fish Gem
Fish Gem, c. 250–350. rock crystal, Overall: 3.5 x 7.5 cm (1 3/8 x 2 15/16 in.). Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1954.592. CC0.

Fish Gem

c. 250–350

Maker Unknown

Medieval Art

Fish Gem, c. 250–350. Early Christian, Syria(?) or Asia Minor, 3rd-4th Century. Rock crystal; overall: 3.5 x 7.5 cm (1 3/8 x 2 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1954.592 To avoid punishment, early Christians practiced their faith in secret. Images of fish were part of a code developed to refer to Jesus Christ. To those in the know, the Greek word for fish (ICHTHYS), was an acronym for the phrase Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter which translates as Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
Maker/Artist
Maker Unknown
Classification
Glyptic
Formatted Medium
rock crystal
Medium
rock, crystal
Dimensions
Overall: 3.5 x 7.5 cm (1 3/8 x 2 15/16 in.)
Departments
Medieval Art
Accession Number
1954.592
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Rights Statement
CC0
Museum Location
104 Late Antiquity

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