Pyxis Depicting Standing Saints and the Entry into Jerusalem (MET 1971.39)
“Pyxis Depicting Standing Saints or Ecclesiastics and the Entry into Jerusalem with Christ Riding a Donkey” is a cylindrical storage box made of brass inlaid with silver. The pyxis has many different references to Christian scenes from the Bible, as well as revered Christian figures. The figures of these scenes are depicted through symbolism and motifs that are usually seen in traditional Muslim art. The most important scene of this pyxis is the scene of Saint Andrew, a Christian patron saint of Crusaders. This detail is significant because of the fact that a Muslim artist is drawing attention to a prominent figure in Christian faith that directly contrasted the ideals of Muslim people.