Free to use stock images of antique Catholic items created hundreds of years ago such as: statues, holy books, chalices, crosses, and more.
This precious gold cross was commissioned by Countess Gertrude (died 1077) and given to the church of Saint Blaise following the death of her husband, Count Liudolf of Brunswick (died 1038). The cross is decorated with a large oval-shaped chalcedony at its center and with slightly smaller rock cryst
This brooch was probably made to fasten a ceremonial cloak, and may have been intended as a diplomatic gift or memento. The central composition parallels the main face of the famous gold coin, a ducat, of the Venetian Doge Giovanni Dandolo minted in 1288-1289. Unlike the coin, the medallion is neith
This sculpture relates stylistically with architrave figures from the facade of Monopoli’s cathedral. It is especially similar to a capital there featuring the prophet Daniel. The figure pouring water on the left probably represents an attendant in the Birth of the Virgin. The remaining figures depi
A pax is a tablet depicting a sacred subject that a priest held out to be kissed during the Mass. The scene on this tablet is of Christ preaching to ten apostles. The image is by an unknown artist who based it on a plaquette by the gem engraver and medalist Valerio Belli (1468–1546) and demonstrates
These intricately carved ivory panels once decorated the sides of a portable altar. Three of the plaques, those depicting Christ in Majesty and his apostles, were the first major acquisition of William M. Milliken, the museum's first curator of decorative arts and later director (1930–58). They were
In this extraordinary fragment with a rare background resembling woven silk patterns, two roundels in the corners display the busts of haloed Evangelists holding books and raising their right hands in a gesture of teaching. In the center, the large roundel preserves traces of an enthroned figure, pr
This cross is traditionally said to come from the Benedictine Abbey of Meherau on Lake Constance in today’s Austria. During the 12th and 13th centuries the abbey became wealthy through the acquisition of landed property. This beautiful cross would have likely embellished one of the abbey’s many alta
This thick clay plaque covered a burial niche that contained the remains of the deceased in a simple communal tomb complex called a columbarium. The chi-rho monogram of Christ identifies the deceased as a Christian. The monogram was seen as representing Christ’s victory over death, while the letters
The front face of this capital fragment presents the two mourning women identified by the inscription above: MARIA ET MARTA. On the left face appears the body of Lazarus in a sarcophagus bearing Christ's words: VENI FORAS ("[Lazarus], come forth" [John 11:43]). The Raising of Lazarus is one of the m
This intricately carved ivory panel once decorated the side of a portable altar. One of three plaques, it depicts Christ's apostles and was one of the first major acquisitions of William M. Milliken, the museum's first curator of decorative arts and later director (1930–1958). As Milliken later reca
This elegant double-arm cross once contained fragments of four of the most important relics of Christ’s Passion, namely a portion of the True Cross, a piece of Christ’s sudarium (sweat cloth), and fragments of the reed staff and sponge used by Christ’s tormentors to mock him and give him vinegar for
Ivory diptychs (two panels hinged together) were used for private devotion by their aristocratic owners. The scenes represented here are Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem, the Raising of Lazarus, the Crucifixion, and Christ’s Entombment. They suggest choices made by the original owner who wished to cont
The figure of the Infant Saint John the Baptist was carved as a companion figure for the Infant Jesus Christ (on the opposite pedestal). source: artsmis.org Free DownloadThis image is in the public domain.download.jpg423 KBdownload-circle Please SUBSCRIBE or DONATE to help keep this site free!...
This Gospel Lectionary from the eleventh century was written in clear Carolingian minuscule in Regensburg, Germany. Its original treasure binding is very fragile because the spine is made from delicate Byzantine or Islamic silk, so it is not possible to photograph the whole manuscript. Only the cover has been photographed,...
This is a fragment from the upper arm of a hand-held bronze cross. One side contains a bust of Saint John the Baptist. The other side displays a cross-shaped monogram whose letters form the word KYPIE, vocative of "Lord" - probably the beginning of an inscription that...
A plain gold hoop with a high bezel treated with a row of fleur-de-lys in high relief. The bezel is inset with a disc nielloed with a cross within a wreath. Free DownloadThis image is in the public domainPL2_57.1582_Top_BW.jpg864 KBdownload-circle Please Subscribe...
State officials in the early Byzantine Empire often inspected newly minted silver objects and stamped them to attest to the metal's purity. Four such stamps on the bottom of this cup for Communion wine contain, together with the inspectors' names, the monograms of Emperor Justinian (ruled 527-...
The center of this thin dress ornament, which would have been sewn onto a garment through the four holes, is dominated by an imperial cross. The two globes on either side of it represent the two empires (East and West), ruled by two-emperors during the 2nd half of the...
This small gold pectoral cross of Roman form has splayed ends, and is set with five cabochon garnets, with a tubular ring for suspension. Free DownloadThis image is in the public domainPL7_57.1734_Fnt_BW_H44.jpg633 KBdownload-circle Please Subscribe or Donate to Help Keep This Site Free!...
The blue nicolo inltaglio has a delicate figure of Nike (Victory) standing on an orb and holding a wreath in her outstretched hand. The circular bezel is almost completely separated from the hoop and is held up by a pair of leopards. Other rings of this type contain coins of...
This large ivory carving, shaped like a tusk, depicts the Christ Child embracing his mother in a tender pose. It’s an early example of Eleousa, or “Virgin of Tenderness,” used for private devotion in Christian Egypt, notable for the Virgin’s large head, fixed gaze, and angular drapery.
Commissioned by Duke Moritz of Saxony, this medal depicts the Trinity in the form of the Throne of Grace. God the Father holds the cross on which Christ has been crucified, expressing God’s acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice, with the Holy Spirit between them in the form of a dove.
One of the most revered icons in the Russian Orthodox church, Our Lady of Kazan represents the Virgin Mary as the patroness of the city of Kazan and the Holy Protectress of Russia.
This remarkable object, meant to be carried in religious processions within a great church, is an example of the high level of skill achieved by 15th-century Italian silversmiths.
