Category: Byzantine

Jeweled Bracelet

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Jeweled Bracelet 500-700AD
Suspected to have been made in Constantinople
Gold, silver, pearls, amethyst, sapphire, glass and quartz

Jewelry was popular in the Byzantine Empire, and acted as a status symbol. They would adore themselves with layers of jewelry and the more you wore the wealthier you appeared. Pearls, like the ones in this bracelet, were highly prized during the Byzantine Empire.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/464078

Jeweled Bracelet (one of pair). 500-700. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/SS7731421_7731421_10960479

Gold Solidus

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Gold Solidus of Justinian I
527-545

Solidus is a generally pure gold coin from the late Roman Empire

This is the back side of the coin showing an angel holding a long cross and a globes cruciger (cross-bearing orb) a symbol of christian authority.
The frontside depicts Justinian in a full frontal portrait (not the traditional profile) which set the standard for coins for the rest of the Byzantine Empire.

 

Byzantine. Gold Solidus of Justinian I, Reverse: S CE; in exergue, CONOB.. c. CE 527-545. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/AWRISTONIG_10313350825

St. Stephen

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Basilica and Monastery of St. Stephen
5th century AD, destroyed in 12th century and reconstructed in 19th century

Built on the believed location of St. Stephen’s death by stoning to house his relics. The connected monastery was large enough to house 10,000 monks at one point. Imagery is the reconstruction that was built according to exact dimensions from the original.

http://www.thebyzantinelegacy.com/hagia-eirene

Original church was built by Byzantine Empress Eudocia. Basilica and Monastery of St. Stephen (Saint Etienne). The original Church of St. Stephen was built in the 5th century AD; the basilica was destroyed in the 12th century; in 1882 the ruins were uncovered including vast sections of mosaic floors; Soon after, the church was reconstructed and was re-dedicated in 1900; The world famous Ecole Biblique (Bible School) was founded there in 1890. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/ASITESPHOTOIG_10313388204

Hagia Eirene

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“St.Irene Church” or Hagia Eirene
(Constantinople) Istanbul, Turkey  306-337 AD, burnt in 532 and rebuilt in 548. Restored again 741-775.

Now known as the Topaki Palace after being the residence of the Ottoman Sultans (1465-1856). Contains some of the most holy Muslim relics. Earliest known church built in Constantinople.

Has a cross dome plan and is the second largest to Hagia Sophia. It has 3 aisles, galleries on 3 sides that open to central space. The dome measures 15m in diameter.

Ordered by Roman Emperor Constantine I; rebuilt by Emperor Justinian I; Emperor Constantine V ordered the 8th century restorations, including mosaics and frescoes. Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene / Hagia Eirene / Church of Holy Peace / "St. Irene" Church. Church built circa 306-337 AD; Burned down during the Nike revolt in 532 AD; rebuilt in 548 AD; damaged by an earthquake in the 8th century; restored circa 741-775 AD; The mosaics and frescoes inside date to these restorations; The church was enlarged during the 11th-12th centuries; currently a Museum, Image: April, 2010. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/ASITESPHOTOIG_10313841836

 

Baptistery of Florence

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1059 (consecrated) Florence Italy
Baptistery of Florence (aerial view)

Part of the Florence Duomo Complex. Construction began in the 4th century on top of ruins. Consecrated in 1059 by Pope Nicholas II. 1128 became the official Baptistery of Florence and construction of the interior decor and dome were completed around 1350.

Baptisteries are centrally planned, commonly octagonal and roofed with a dome. Baptistery of Florence is surrounded by pilasters and striped green and white marble.

Florence: Baptistery aerial view. consecrated 1059. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/ARTSTOR_103_41822003135892

Icon with the Deesis

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Triptych made of Ivory
Mid-900s

Depicts Christ in between the Virgin Mary and and John the Baptist. Most likely used as a gospel book cover later in Western Europe.

Resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Byzantine. Icon with the Deesis. mid-900s. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/AMICO_METRO_103824856

Church of our Savior; Mosaic

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Church of Our Savior in Chora/ Chora Church
Originally built in 5th century, rebuilt aprox. 527-565 AD
Istanbul Turkey

The mosaics show depictions of holy figures and saints and worshipers. The flattened (2D) style is typical to Byzantine mosaics. The imagery shows the styles and colors of clothing. It also depicts a dome-like covering held up with four slender (possible corinthian inspired) columns.

Theodore Metochites, a Byzantine politician, donated the mosaics and frescoes in Chora Church. In 1500 the church was converted into a mosque and the frescoes were covered in plaster. They were restored in 1948.

 

 

Built originally probably by Emperor Constantine I; rebuilt by Emperor Justinian I; renovated by Maria Dukaina, mother-in-law of Emperor Alexius I; rebuilt again by Isaac Comnenus, Emperor Alexius’s son; 14th century mosaics and frescos were mostly donated by Byzantine Politician Theodore Metochites; converted into a mosque by Atik Ali Pasa, Vizier of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II; Thomas Whittemore and Paul A. Underwood from the Byzantine Institute of America and the Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies sponsored the restorations. Church of Our Savior in Chora / Chora Church / Church of the Holy Savior in the Country / The Church of the Holy Redeemer in the Fields, Inner Narthex, The Presentation of Virgin Mary to the Temple, Mosaic, Detail. Originally built in the early 5th century AD; rebuilt circa 527-565 AD within the city’s 5th century AD fortification; current building dates from the extensive renovations done circa 1077-1081; damaged in the 12th century probably by an earthquake and later rebuilt; the church was completed only in the 14th century; decorations of the interior done circa 1315-1321; circa 1500 converted into a Mosque; in 1948 the building underwent restorations; in 1958 it was opened to the public as a secularized museum, Image: April, 2010. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/ASITESPHOTOIG_10313840821

Governor’s Palace: Mosaic Floor

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Mosaic Floor from the Palace of the Byzantine Governor
324-638 AD in Caesarea, Israel

Possibly the most important Palace in Caesarea. Included large rooms for produce (corn, oil, wine) storage, a library and a private bathhouse. Mosaic floors like this example were found in many of the rooms.

Palace of the Byzantine Governor, Mosaic Floor. Built circa 324-638 AD; Mithraeum built in the 3rd century AD. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/ASITESPHOTOIG_10313414249