Pyxis of Cierne Klacany
Encyclopedia
The Pyxis of Čierne Kľačany (Slovak: Čiernokľačianska pyxida) is an oval-shaped
jewel
box (i.e. a pyxis
) made of ivory. Several fragments were found in an intact tomb near the village of Čierne Kľačany
in Slovakia
in 1974 by a group of boys and locals. The artifact was subsequently reconstructed from the fragments.
, brought during the times of saints Cyril and Methodius (late 9th century) from the Byzantine Empire
.
The artifact depicts scenes of daily life, such as people farming on fields and breeding animal
s. It shows the legend of the foundation of Rome
. The artifact was found in pieces, some of which have never been found. Some copies of the box have been made; one of them was donated to Pope John Paul II
in November 2003. The original is conserved in Bratislava Castle
. A memorial stone was laid by Matica slovenská
in 1993 in the area where the artifact had originally been found.
Oval
An oval is any curve resembling an egg or an ellipse, such as a Cassini oval. The term does not have a precise mathematical definition except in one area oval , but it may also refer to:* A sporting arena of oval shape** a cricket field...
jewel
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
box (i.e. a pyxis
Pyxis (pottery)
A pyxis is a shape of vessel from the classical world, usually a round box with a separate lid. Originally mostly used by women to hold cosmetics, trinkets or jewellery, surviving pyxides are mostly Greek pottery, but especially in later periods may be in wood, metal, ivory, or other materials...
) made of ivory. Several fragments were found in an intact tomb near the village of Čierne Kľačany
Cierne Klacany
Čierne Kľačany is a village and municipality in Zlaté Moravce District of the Nitra Region, of Slovakia. It is best known for the archeological find of the Pyxis of Čierne Kľačany.-Geography:...
in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
in 1974 by a group of boys and locals. The artifact was subsequently reconstructed from the fragments.
History
The artifact is dated from the end of the 9th century, although it was probably made in the 4th century. There are only a few similar objects in the entire world. It is believed that the box was a gift for the ruler RastislavRastislav
Rastislav or Rostislav was the second known ruler of Moravia . Although he started his reign as vassal to Louis the German, king of East Francia, he consolidated his rule to the extent that after 855 he was able to repel a series of Frankish attacks...
, brought during the times of saints Cyril and Methodius (late 9th century) from the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
.
The artifact depicts scenes of daily life, such as people farming on fields and breeding animal
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
s. It shows the legend of the foundation of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. The artifact was found in pieces, some of which have never been found. Some copies of the box have been made; one of them was donated to Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
in November 2003. The original is conserved in Bratislava Castle
Bratislava Castle
Bratislava Castle is the main castle of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.The massive rectangular building with four corner towers stands on a quite isolated rocky hill of the Little Carpathians directly above the Danube river in the middle of Bratislava...
. A memorial stone was laid by Matica slovenská
Matica slovenská
The Matica slovenská Mother) is Slovakia's public-law cultural and scientific institution focusing on topics around the Slovak nation. It is based in the city of Martin...
in 1993 in the area where the artifact had originally been found.