Object ID
2008.37.7
Object Name
Block, Printing
Material
Lead; Wood
Object Entities
Damianos, John (is related to)
Object Description
Wood and cast lead printing block. The block is square-shaped with a circular lead casting. Within the circular casting is the image of an Orthodox clergyman in gown and Epitrachelion. The Epitrachelion has crosses on each side at chest level and another at thigh level. There are tassles at the end of the stole. The clergyman is also wearing a mitre. The clergyman's right hand is stretched out and upward to his side. His left hand holds a staff with a cross at the top. A flag with a equal-armed cross is splayed out from the staff. A woman in a dress or cloak is knelt before the clergyman.
Origin
Donated by John Damianos. The printing block was used in a linotype printing machine. Linotype presses allowed for the casting of entire lines to be printed at a time. Linotype printing was eventually succeded by lythograph printing and computer typesetting during the 1960's and 1970's. This printing block was used by the Chicago-based, The Greek Art Printing Company. The dress worn by the clergyman in the image is traditional ceremonial dress for Greek Orthodox clergy. The mitre is modeled on the crown on the Byzantine emperors. The Epitrachelion corresponds to the stole worn by Western clergy. The Epitrachelion is a symbol of the the priest's or bishops' priesthood. The cross with equal-length arms is commonly associated with Greek Orthodoxy and early Christianity.
Rights and Reproduction
The content on this site is made available for research and education purposes only. The use of these materials may be restricted by law or the donor.

Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.

For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org
Citation
Block, Printing, Greek Art Printing Company Artifact Collection, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/9780. Accessed 03/29/24.