File:European enamels (1906) (14780829474).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

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s from the New Testament,those from the life of St. Mark, the patron saintof Venice, being the most numerous. The Virginfinds a place, as also an Empress and an Emperor,who has been transformed into a Doge. In 1849 the Pala was again restored, and ac-quired its present form. It is undoubtedly themost interesting Byzantine enamel in existence,though its repeated restorations have somewhatimpaired its historical value. The reliquary of the wood of the true crossat Limburg is, unfortunately, not very easy of access,owing to the religious views of those in whosecustody it is, but it is one of the most importantByzantine works in existence, because it dates fromthe finest period of Byzantine art. It was executed about the year 950 a.d., in thereign of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, and broughtto Germany after the sack of Constantinople in1204 a.d. It consists of a large picture about eighteeninches high, in a box with doors. On the outsideare figures of our Lord, the Virgin Mary, St. John,46
Text Appearing After Image:
BOOK COVER IN THE TREASURY OF ST. MARKS, VENICE BYZANTINE ENAMELS and the archangels Michael and Gabriel, and ofthe apostles. These are executed in cloisons on araised background of gold. Inside are other figuressurrounding a cavity containing some of the woodof the true cross. The patterns are most beautiful,and are of extreme interest because they are proto-types of the patterns which one sees in later Frenchand German painted windows. The similarity ofthe designs, for instance, to those of Chartres canhardly escape notice. In dealing with Byzantine enamels one oughtnot to omit to mention the treasure at St. Marksat Venice. It is what remains of the share ofVenice in the plunder of Constantinople by theLatin Crusaders in 1204. Readers of Venetianhistory will remember the arrival at Venice of thehorde of ruffians bent on plunder in the name ofreligion. The Republic lent some ships to them,and tried to utilize them in making conquests forher benefit. Arrived at Zara, they encountered

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