Pilgrim Stamp of St. Isidore in the Walters Art Museum, September 2009

Pilgrim Stamp of Saint Isidore

St. Isidore was martyred on the Greek island of Chios in AD 251. The well into which his body was thrown later became a healing shrine, represented at the right. The ship to the left refers to Isidore's role as patron saint of sailors, as well as to the ships that carried pilgrims to his island shrine. This stamp, used to produce pilgrim tokens, has a backward inscription that becomes legible when imprinted in clay.


Creator: Byzantine (Artist)

Period: 6th century (Late Antique)

Medium: bronze (Metal)

Accession Number: 54.230

Measurements: H: 2 5/16 x W: 2 3/8 x D: 1 1/2 in. (5.9 x 6 x 3.8 cm)

Geographies: Greece (Place of Origin), Thessaloniki, Greece (Place of Discovery)


Text from: art.thewalters.org/detail/22682/pilgrim-stamp-of-saint-is...