16th / 17th Century Greek Ottoman Empress Theodora Pewter Figure Pilgrim Flask

This is a rather fascinating & early pewter flask in female form with bare breasts. A note on the base indicates in was bought in Constantinople in 1923/4 possibly from a Greek church after the expulsion of the Greeks from Turkey. It is very likely a pilgrim or baptismal flask (as suggested in the note) in the form of 6th Century Byzantine Empress Theodora, wife of Emperor Justinian. Theodora was of Greek descent from a poor background & made a living as a prostitute, denoted by the bare breasts. Later marrying Emperor Justinian & latterly becoming a saint while living in Constantinople. 

The flask is double sided with wrigglework decoration & a fishscale band around the base. There are symbols between her breasts, on one side a palm tree & the other a flower or similar image but very worn. Circa 16th / 17th century & very certainly a museum piece.

CONDITION with old damage - as per images

The overall condition is as you would expect from an object of substantial age that has been displayed/handled/used, usually over the lifetimes of several owners.

DIMENSIONS

Height 23.5cm

Weight 970g

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