This rectangular plaque, which may once have decorated the side of a box, shows at the right St. John Chrysostom (d. 407), archbishop of Constantinople and one of the great authorities of the Orthodox Church, with his right hand raised in blessing. The identity of the second saint remains uncertain, although his clothes, and especially his tunic clasped at the shoulder, suggest that he was an early martyr.For the latest information about this object, plaques; icons; relief, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Macedonian DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style:
Glazed, polychrome tile fragmentsFor the latest information about this object, ceramic tiles; icons, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Glazed, polychrome tile fragmentsFor the latest information about this object, ceramic tiles; icons, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Glazed/polychromeFor the latest information about this object, ceramic tiles; icons; fragment, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Glazed, polychrome tile fragmentsFor the latest information about this object, ceramic tiles; icons, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Glazed, polychrome tile fragmentsFor the latest information about this object, ceramic tiles; icons, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Bronze icons were a popular, inexpensive substitute for those made out of more precious metals. The Virgin is shown as an intercessor with her hands raised in prayer, turning toward Christ in the upper right corner. This portrait type of the Virgin "Hagiosoritissa" comes from an icon in the chapel of the Holy Shrine (in Greek, Hagios Soros) in Constantinople, where relics of the Virgin's mantle were preserved.For the latest information about this object, icons; reliefs, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Comnenean DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style:
This image is similar in size to ivory icons (e.g. WAM 71.158) but was used to decorate the interior of a church building. In its damaged state, it shows the amount of work that museum conservators have done in order reassemble such Byzantine painted tiles from thousands of broken fragments.For the latest information about this object, ceramic tiles; icons, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Macedonian DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style:
This plaque, which may have formed the central panel of a triptych, shows the Virgin standing in an elegant pose with her weight on one leg, perhaps inspired by the Classical tradition. This portrait type of the Virgin, who holds the Christ Child in her right arm while grasping his leg with her left hand, is called "Dexiokratousa" (Greek for "holding with her right hand").For the latest information about this object, plaques, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Macedonian DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style:
This installation of tiles reflects the form of an iconostasis, or icon screen, used in Byzantine churches to divide the sanctuary - the place of the priest - from the rest of the church. The tiles are related to others in the former Byzantine capital of Constantinople (now Istanbul), and have been combined here to suggest the original appearance of one of these screens. Around the year 1000, when these brightly glazed tiles were made, icon screens were ornamented with images of Christ, the Virgin, John the Baptist, and other saints. These figures created a powerful devotional ensemble to which people could address prayers on behalf of themselves and their families.
The experience of the faithful inside a Byzantine church was shaped by images painted on walls and wooden panels, incised on metal and enamel liturgical objects, and embroidered on clerical vestments and cloths. The awe-inspiring vision of the sacred icons was further complemented by the pungent smell of incense, the flickering of lamps and candlelight, and the echo of chanted hymns. The division of the church into distinct chambers, from which the priest would emerge to display the Holy Bible or the Eucharistic offerings of the bread and the wine, served to further enhance the atmosphere of mystery and wonder for the assembled congregation.For the latest information about this object, ceramic tiles; icons, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style: