Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Editor: This is an Anonymous Follis, its date is unknown, and it is housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The imagery feels very Byzantine. What do you notice about the symbolic language in this piece? Curator: I'm struck by the persistence of archetypes. The halo, the frontal pose--they speak of divine authority, echoing across cultures. Do you see how the symbols are both universal and specific to their time? It is like a palimpsest of meaning. Editor: Absolutely, the way the symbols are repeated show a clear continuation of traditional visual themes. It's fascinating to see how such small objects can hold so much cultural weight. Curator: Indeed. Each element, each line, resonates with echoes of belief and power, reminding us of the enduring need to express the intangible through tangible forms.