6th-7th century AD. A lead plaque with monogram impression to both sides, with Greek letters; and a ceramic pilgrim token, stamped to one side with bearded figure of a St Simeon Stylites, standing atop a column, robed wearing a pointed hat, flanked by two angles, ladder to the bottom right, incense burner to the bottom left. Cf. British Museum, accession number: 1991,0601.1 for a token with similar design. 23.3 grams total, 22-25.5mm (1"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. The term Stylite or 'pillar-saint' refers to a type of Christian ascetic who lived on top of a column. The first of these was the Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder, possibly represented here, who took up residence atop a column in Syria in AD 423. The practice was adopted across the eastern empire, documented in Greece and the Middle East, but never spread to the western empire. From their column-residence, a stylite would pray, preach, fast and conduct pastoral work. Disciples would bring sustenance with the help of a ladder, depicted on this token. [2] Fine condition.