Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Sanat Tarihi Yilligi, sa.34, ss.261-276, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
In Christian art, ampullae are not simply objects made of metal, glass or terracotta. The fact that ampullae are containers filled with substances such as water, oil or powder that can be taken and carried from the pilgrimage sites is a detail that emphasises their mystical aspect. Most researchers accept ampullae as eulogia. The term eulogia generally means eulogy, that is, blessing. Eulogia also refers to a sacred and revered object, such as a piece of the holy cross on which Jesus was crucified, or a product in contact, such as oil and water. Examples include medallions, censers, jugs, small bottles, tokens and various types of jewellery. Regardless of the material of manufacture, ampullae form a special group within this category because they combine a mass‑produced object with a eulogia. What makes ampullae special is not only the substances they contain but also the iconographic depictions they bear. Terracotta ampullae are vessels mentioned with the Menas bottles associated with the Abu Mena cross centre in Egypt. Thus, ampullae are generally divided into two groups: the Menas type and the Anatolian or Asia Minor type. Terracotta ampullae in Anatolia are found among excavation findings, museum artefacts and private collections. There are 8 terracotta ampullae among the Manisa Museum artefacts. Since the ampullae were brought to the museum through purchase, their place of origin is uncertain. Therefore, dating suggestions are made according to parallel examples. Therefore, it is predicted that the ampullae of the Manisa Museum are objects belonging to the 5th and 7th centuries AD.