Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Curator: Here we have an Anonymous Follis, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn’t it? Both in literal mass and metaphorical significance. The dense patination gives it a tactile presence. Curator: Indeed. The piece presents a stylized figure of Christ on one side. Notice the geometric halo bisected by a cross. Editor: The halo is powerful! It reinforces the divine presence, while the lettering on the opposite side serves to reiterate doctrine or perhaps a ruler's name, binding secular power to sacred image. It is a symbolic anchor. Curator: Agreed. The incised text creates a fascinating interplay between figure and field, adding another layer to its structural complexity. Editor: An excellent example of a small object capable of holding significant cultural memory. Curator: A testament to the enduring power of form and composition.