Ceremonial Paraphernalia
Object Type
Church Objects
Material
Glass, Metal
Country of Origin
Greece
Credit
The Government of the Hellenic Republic
Caption
Import Restricted since 2011.
Section II.B.4 of Designated List in force since 2011.
The ecclesiastical ethnological materials represent the Early Christian and Byzantine periods and include objects made from 324 A.D. through the 15th century A.D.
In bronze, silver, and gold including censers (incense burners), book covers, liturgical crosses, archbishop's crowns, buckles, and chests. These are often decorated with molded or incised geometric motifs or scenes from the Bible, and encrusted with semi-precious or precious stones. The gems themselves may be engraved with religious figures or inscriptions. Ecclesiastical treasure may include all of the above, as well as rings, earrings, and necklaces (some decorated with ecclesiastical themes) and other implements (e.g., spoons).
Example shown:
Reliquary-Enkolpion depicting Saint Demetrios on one side and Saints Sergios and Bakchos on the other side
Material: Gold and Enamel; Period: 13th century A.D.; Provenance: Thessaloniki; Place of Production: Thessaloniki; Dimensions: height - 4.4 cm. / thickness - 0.6 cm. / diameter - 2.8 cm.
Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Washington D.C., USA