Stylite slab
Type:
Screens,
Sculptures,
Stelae
Date:
Fifth to sixth century
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Syria
Medium:
Stone
Dimensions:
84.5 × 67 × 18.5 cm
Description:
The first stylite saint, Symeon the Elder (d. 459), attracted many pilgrims to Qal'at Sem'an while he was alive and also after his death. He inspired imitators, including Symeon the Younger, and it is difficult to distinguish the votive objects dedicated to the two saints and the souvenir tokens taken from their cult sites.
This very thick basalt slab depicts a stylized image of the saint (shown as a bust) on his column. A hooded monk climbs a ladder to bring him a vessel that may be a censer or chalice, or perhaps a basket of food. The bird probably represents the Holy Spirit awarding Symeon a halo or crown: the saint was understood to have engaged in a bloodless form of martyrdom that brought him close to Christ.
The stela may have served originally in a templon barrier. It was discovered around 1930, reused in a Syrian village house.
This very thick basalt slab depicts a stylized image of the saint (shown as a bust) on his column. A hooded monk climbs a ladder to bring him a vessel that may be a censer or chalice, or perhaps a basket of food. The bird probably represents the Holy Spirit awarding Symeon a halo or crown: the saint was understood to have engaged in a bloodless form of martyrdom that brought him close to Christ.
The stela may have served originally in a templon barrier. It was discovered around 1930, reused in a Syrian village house.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
2
Repository and Online Resources:
• The slab is in the Museum of Byzantine Art, Berlin
Image Credits:
Jürgen Liepe, Skulpturensammlung und Museum für Byzantinische Kunst, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, CC-BY-NC-SA
