Small icons like these were popular objects for the home in Medieval times in the eastern Mediterranean. The curved steatite (soapstone) fragment shows the apostle Andrew holding a cross.
The second icon is carved with four scenes from the Dodekaorton, twelve episodes in the life of Christ. Starting from the top left are the Presentation of Christ in the Temple; the Baptism of Christ; the Transfiguration; and the Raising of Lazarus. The fragment may originally have been part of a larger composition showing all twelve scenes.
Objects like these depicting saints and biblical scenes were often framed and formed a focus for personal devotion and prayers at home.
