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A silver plaque of St. Paul holding an open book, from Antioch or nearby Kaper Koraon, c.550-600 AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Fletcher Fund, 1950, 50.5.1.
St. Paul, along with St. Peter, was highly honored in Antioch, where they both preached. Acts 11:26 describes Paul teaching in Antioch for a year. St. Paul and St. Peter share the same feast day, June 29, and this image is part of a pair with a plaque of the other apostle (see next photo).
Paul can be identified in this plaque by his long hair, receding hairline and pointed beard. He holds an open book as though reading, not preaching, probably reflecting his role as the author of much of the New Testament.
As the borders are bent back, the two plaques may have formed the cover of a highly honored text used in a church, perhaps the letters of St. Paul. Alternatively, they could have been votive plaques that flanked an image of Christ, which is suggested by the observation that the two apostles are turned towards each other.
Source: Antioch: The Lost Ancient City
, 212.
Related pages:
Antioch
Antioch Mosaic Photos
Timeline of Antioch