Clay seals with cross motifs

Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens, Greece

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Clay seals with Christian cross designs

Material: Clay
Date: 6th–7th century AD
Origin: Eastern Mediterranean (Byzantine world)

These circular clay seals feature boldly impressed cross motifs, each rendered in a slightly different geometric style. Such seals were commonly used in the Christian liturgical economy, particularly for marking loaves of bread offered by the faithful during the Eucharistic celebration. Beyond their practical function, seals of this type also served as personal devotional items, carried or kept by individuals as expressions of faith. Their simple yet powerful iconography reflects widespread Christian practice in the early Byzantine period.

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Clay seals with Christian cross designs from the 6th to 7th century AD

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