Collection record · Objects & craft
Bloodstone Cameo with Saint George
The collection record classifies this work as glyptic. It is dated 1000–1100. Recorded culture or place: Byzantium, Contantinople, Byzantine period, 11th century.
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Bloodstone Cameo with Saint George
- Date
- 1000–1100
- Culture / origin
- Byzantium, Contantinople, Byzantine period, 11th century
- Materials and technique
- bloodstone
- Dimensions
- Overall: 3.2 x 2.8 x 1.4 cm (1 1/4 x 1 1/8 x 9/16 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1959.41
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
Bearing the image of Saint George, one of the Byzantine Empire’s most popular saints, this cameo served as a powerful devotional and protective device. Close physical contact with a holy image was believed to enhance its effectiveness, creating a strong bond between the worshipper and the devotional object. Originally worn around the neck, this cameo was easily kissed and touched in moments of distress or crisis. Bloodstone was also believed to carry magical medicinal powers to stop hemorrhages and increase blood circulation.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Dudley P. Allen Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
Open the complete museum record View the open-access policyTHE VISITOR BOOK
What caught your eye?
Opening the visitor book…
