Detail of a Byzantine Flask with the Adoration of Magi in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January, 2008

Flask with Adoration of the Magi
Silver with gilded silver
Byzantine
Made 500s

Accession # 1984.196

The archangel Gabriel strides forward, dramatically leading the three wise men, carrying gifts for the Christ child, who is seated in his mother's lap. The only text that describes the archangel as their guide is the Armenian Infancy Gospel, a popular early book elaborating on the Gospel descriptions of Christ's early life. The star that guide the magi to Bethlehem in the Gospel account (Matthew 2: 1-12) appears over the Christ child's head.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.