File:European enamels (1906) (14596478710).jpg

Identifier: europeanenamels00cuny_0 (find matches)
Title: European enamels
Year: 1906 (1900s)
Authors: Cunynghame, Henry H (Henry Hardinge), Sir, 1848-1935
Subjects: Enamel and enameling
Publisher: London : Methuen
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
e placed strings of pearls. Pieces of Byzantine enamel are to be foundattached to crucifixes, reliquaries, and personalornaments, executed in much later times. St. Marks treasury contains two other book-covers well worthy attention. One of them is un-fortunately damaged, the rows of seed pearls whichsurrounded the figures being mostly destroyed. Thefigures are in fine cloisonne let into plates of gold,so that the flat gold forms a background. In the centre is Christ holding up the righthand, with the first two fingers extended in theGreek fashion, and holding in the left the Gospels.He is surrounded by half-length pictures of tenof the apostles, the four evangelists being imme-diately round Him. Another book-cover is in better preservation,and represents our Lord in a dark blue robe, infull length, in the regular traditional attitude, withhalf-length portraits in circular medallions aroundHim. The archangel Gabriel is above, and variousapostles are placed round. The backgrounds are 48
Text Appearing After Image:
BYZANTINE BOOK COVER IN THE TREASURY OF ST. MARKS, VENICE SARDONYX CHALICE MOUNTED IN SILVER, ENAMELLED AND GILT.IN THE TREASURY OF ST. MARKS, VENICE BYZANTINE ENAMELS all of plain gold, surrounded by strings of seedpearls. A fine reliquary of the true cross, of Byzantinework, eleventh century, is in the cathedral at Granin Hungary. On each side of the recess for the relic is a repre-sentation of the Emperor and Empress. Beloware scenes from the life of Christ; above are arch-angels. A Byzantine chalice in sardonyx, mounted insilver, is in the treasury at St. Marks. Round therims are written the words of consecration of thewine. The date is about the eleventh century. The Emperors of Byzantium were in the habitof using jewellery as a means of official communica-tion. Their most important letters were sealedwith golden seals. They used also to send to theirtributary kings hats or stemmae, decorated withplates of gold. These are the origin of moderncrowns. Part of one of them survives t

Note About Images