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Byzantine Mosaic Panel
$302,178.57
£220,500
€259,284.63
CA$419,091.46
A$451,190.08
CHF 241,621.08
MX$5,436,679.92
NOK 3,048,588.35
SEK 2,789,950.69
DKK 1,937,478.35
About the Item
A rectangular Byzantine mosaic, comprising six lines of Greek text in black and red tesserae set within a blue rectangular frame against a white background. The second line down is in red, the rest in black. The inscription translates as: ‘In the year 727 [probably 415/416 A.D.] the most sacred church was paved with mosaics, under the most venerable bishop Alexander, under John the periodeutes, Antiochos the priest, Stephen the deacon, Benjamin the cantor, and Thalassios the steward of Cyril’. The text terminates with a stylised palm frond in black.
The art of the mosaic flourished throughout the Byzantine Empire, building on Hellenistic and Roman practices with significant technical advances to transform the mosaic into a powerful form of personal and religious expression. The Byzantines expanded the range of materials that could be used as tesserae, adding gold leaf and precious stones to their more ornate designs. Before the tesserae were laid, the foundation was prepared in multiple layers. The final layer was formed of a fine mix of crushed lime and brick powder, like cement. While this surface was still wet, artists traced the outlines of the design into the surface, before carefully positioning the tesserae into the final image.
Two main types of mosaic survive from this period: wall mosaics in churches and palaces, made of glass tesserae against gold leaf, and floor mosaics crafted from stone. The vast majority of extant mosaics are of religious nature, and feature similar subjects to painted icons and manuscript miniatures from the time. These were never placed on the floor, as it was unacceptable to walk upon images of sacred figures. Floor mosaics often featured geometrical patterns and animals, as well as scenes of hunting and venatio. Based on the materials used for this aniconic panel, it is likely it was placed in the floor of the church it was dedicated to, as a record of the other mosaics installed around the walls.
- Dimensions:Height: 30.71 in (78 cm)Width: 78.75 in (200 cm)Depth: 3.15 in (8 cm)
- Style:Classical Greek (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:Stone,Mosaic
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa Early 5th Century A.D
- Condition:Repaired: resetting into a supportive frame. Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Tesserae reset into thick concrete panel and reinforced inside with steel bars. Tarp impressions visible around frame. Very few tesserae missing, and many obscured by excess grout especially on the right half of the mosaic. Two clear area.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5517247353622
About the Seller
5.0
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Established in 1910
1stDibs seller since 2020
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