© DUMBARTON OAKS, BYZANTINE COLLECTION, WASHINGTON, DC
Beginning in the fourth century, people in the eastern, Greek-speaking world of early Christianity used pieces of jewelry called enkolpia (singular, enkolpion). Meaning “in (or on) the bosom,” they were a kind of pendant attached to a necklace or string and worn around the neck. Since they typically featured Christian scenes or inscriptions or contained a sacred relic, enkolpia were designed to protect their wearers by means of their religious imagery or contents.
Produced in virtually all materials used for jewelry, including gold and wood, enkolpia could take many different forms, from simple disks (medallions) to crosses to various containers. In the latter form, they were usually reliquaries, as the category of enkolpion encompasses several other types of artifacts, including phylacteries, pilgrim tokens, and amulets. Elaborately decorated enkolpia from precious materials often served as royal gifts.
Pictured here is a gold enkolpion featuring a pressed frontal image of the prophet Daniel standing between two lions. Daniel, in a gesture of prayer with both hands raised and a beaded halo encircling his head, is wearing a belted tunic and short cloak. He is identified by a Greek inscription Ο ΠΡΟΦΙΤΗϹ ΔΑΝΙΗΛ (“the prophet Daniel”). Dating to the 13th century and measuring about 1.5 inches in diameter, it probably was a pilgrim token from the prophet’s shrine in Constantinople.
Beginning in the fourth century, people in the eastern, Greek-speaking world of early Christianity used pieces of jewelry called enkolpia (singular, enkolpion). Meaning “in (or on) the bosom,” they were a kind of pendant attached to a necklace or string and worn around the neck. Since they typically featured Christian scenes or inscriptions or contained a sacred relic, enkolpia were designed to protect their wearers by means of their religious imagery or contents. Produced in virtually all materials used for jewelry, including gold and wood, enkolpia could take many different forms, from simple disks (medallions) to crosses to various containers. […]