Late Byzantine rings

Auteurs

• Jeffrey Spier

Paramètres

• 85 pages
• 3 heures de lecture

• Art / Culture

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This study explores the rings from the final years of the Byzantine Empire, covering the Latin occupation of Constantinople (1204-1261) and the Palaiologan restoration until the fall to the Turks in 1453. These rings are notable for their intricate designs and diverse inscriptions, including personal names, monograms, official titles, and epigrams by Byzantine poets. Nearly fifty rings from the Palaiologan period are illustrated and discussed, alongside earlier Byzantine examples and related jewelry from Bulgaria, Serbia, and the West. Many of these rings are published for the first time. The study begins by examining the diversity of rings before the Latin Conquest, noting that the occupation disrupted production in Byzantine style. After 1261, workshops in Constantinople resumed, resulting in new forms that blended traditional Byzantine styles with significant Western influences, evident in engraving techniques and the use of engraved gems. The findings will benefit students of Byzantine and Medieval history, literature, art, and jewelry, revealing previously unrecorded names and titles that illuminate the relationship between the imperial court and the emerging landowning class. The rings also reflect political and economic ties with neighboring Serbia and Bulgaria, while showcasing Western craftsmanship and heraldic devices. Engraved verses highlight both traditional and contemporary Byzantine poetry, indicating that high-

Achat du livre

• Année de publication: 2013
• Reliure: (rigide)