Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Curator: Here we have an Anonymous Follis from the Harvard Art Museums. I’m immediately drawn to its worn texture. You can almost feel the history in the metal. Editor: It certainly has a palpable weight, both literally at 9.76 grams, and metaphorically. The image of Christ invokes centuries of religious and cultural symbolism. Curator: This piece allows us to consider how the Byzantine Empire utilized a readily available material like bronze to convey power and faith. Minting currency as a form of ideological production. Editor: And the deliberate iconography reinforces that power. Christ's halo, the inscriptions… each element a carefully chosen symbol designed to resonate deeply with the populace. Curator: I think it’s fascinating to consider the hands through which this follis passed, the markets it facilitated, the labor embedded within its production. Editor: It’s amazing how an object this small can carry so much cultural memory, prompting us to think about the enduring power of symbols and images. Curator: Indeed, a testament to how a simple material can be imbued with tremendous value. Editor: A powerful convergence of the mundane and the divine.