St. Sergios pilgrim flask (sixth-seventh century CE)
12022-06-15T07:46:05-07:00Brooke Hendershottb0a907cd0f989ee79e94592378a1545647719cfb394471Baltimore, Walters Art Museum inv. no. 55.105plain2022-06-15T07:46:05-07:00Brooke Hendershottb0a907cd0f989ee79e94592378a1545647719cfb
This page is referenced by:
12022-06-15T07:46:05-07:00How was this flask made?2Object lesson how madeplain2022-06-21T07:42:18-07:00By Sean Gilsdorf Some pilgrim flasks were made of glass or metal, such as this sixth- or seventh-century example from Syria dedicated to the martyr—and Menas's contemporary—St. Sergios. Our flask, however, was made from a simple and inexpensive type of ceramic or pottery called terracotta produced from refined clay (indeed, the name derives from the Latin words for "baked clay"). In the ancient and medieval world, this type of pottery was akin to tin or plastic today. People used it to make humble and everyday items involved in food service and food preparation, as well as lamps, dolls, figurines, and game pieces.
According to experts, the body of the flask was created using a two-piece mold bearing the image of St. Menas and the camels. The handles were attached afterward. The flask was then fired in a kiln. Since terracotta is porous, it is possible that the flask was lined with pitch or another waterproof substance. Like other objects purchased by pilgrims, this flask was originally mass-produced. Most of the surviving Menas flasks are between six and fifteen centimeters in height.
