Birds of the Byzantine
Bird symbols are omnipresent in Byzantine art. It is considered as an essential element in many decorations and art pieces of the era. Birds can be seen as animals whose interpretation was directly connected to a series of symbolic meanings.
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42 Ítems
Left side of a sarcophagus. On the lid a cross between two birds, while on the sarcophagus the cross is between two birds and amond grape vines
Basilica of Saint Apollinaire in Classe, wall mosaic decoration, apse half-dome: grass with plants, flowers, birds, detail of Saint Apollinaris representation.
Fragment of ciborium with birds and decorative braid motif
Archiepiscopal Chapel, wall mosaic decoration, vestibule: gallinule, detail of barrel vault decorative motif. On barrel vault stylized flowers pattern and different species of birds are depicted.
Archiepiscopal Chapel, wall mosaic decoration, vestibule: barrel vault. The decorative motif is composed of stylized flowers pattern and a representation of different species of birds.
Archiepiscopal Chapel, wall mosaic decoration, vestibule: barrel vault. The decorative motif is composed of stylized flowers pattern and a representation of different species of birds.
Archiepiscopal Chapel, wall mosaic decoration, vestibule: pheasant, detail of barrel vault decorative motif. On the barrel vault stylized flowers pattern and different species of birds are depicted.
Archiepiscopal Chapel, wall mosaic decoration, vestibule: mallard, detail of barrel vault decorative motif. On the barrel vault stylized flowers pattern and different species of birds are depicted.
Lamp with two holes, a geometrical frame and a bird in the middle
Cross with birds and plant motifs
Bird-shaped eucharistic vessel
Lamp with a handle adorned with a bird and placed on a lamp-stand
Exterior, north facade, chancel slab with a bird
Sarcophagus with three and four niches, back side, detail of the birds among the niches
Rome, detail of a wellhead, decorated with bas-relief motifs of a cross, flanked by birds and quadrupeds. It is framed by an interlaced cornice.
Throne of Archbishop Maximian, panel with animals (peacock, bull, deer, birds) and vines
Archiepiscopal Chapel, wall mosaic decoration, vestibule: barrel vault. The decorative motif is composed by stylized flowers pattern and a representation of different species of birds.
Pola, Archaeological Museum of Istra, Side of cover of Byzantine sarcophagus with the portraits of the deceases on the lateral acroteria and a cross surmounted by birds in the central part
Detail of carved wall decoration, in the form of a single-light window. The motifs feature a vine represented with symmetric scrolls, with two birds at the base. The figurative motifs are framed by two cornices, one with rosettes and the outer one with de…
Low relief with birds and vegetal elements
Metal lamp with handle adorned with a flattened cross and a bird on the top
Basilica of Saint Apollinaire in Classe, wall mosaic decoration, apse half-dome: two sheep standing in line on grass with plants, flowers and birds, detail of Saint Apollinaris representation.
Basilica of San Vitale, presbytery, groin vault, wall mosaic decoration: panel's decorative motif (detail); acanthus branches, peacocks and birds.
Basilica of San Vitale, presbytery, groin vault, wall mosaic decoration: panel's decorative motif (detail); acanthus branches and birds.
Basilica of San Vitale, presbytery, groin vault, wall mosaic decoration: birds and acanthus branches, detail of the decorative motif of the panel.
Venice, Torcello Island, cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta: detail of a relief slab of the chancel screen. The decoration features two facing lions, sitting at the foot of a tree, whose symmetrical branches and tendrils are populated by birds and hares.
Rome, Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi, Byzantine Room. Fragment of curved slab from a baldachin, decorated with bas-relief decoration featuring curls, two birds (peacocks?) holding snakes in their beaks and interlaced patterns
Basilica of Saint Vitale, wall mosaic decoration, presbytery, upper column trapezoid section: birds and decorated fruit basket.
Pluteus with an eight-pointed cross between two birds, vines and grapes, now used as an altar frontal
Stucco decoration of the Neonian Baptistery, detail of two birds above a prophet
Archiepiscopal Chapel, wall mosaic decoration, vestibule: mallard, detail of barrel vault decorative motif. On barrel vault stylized flowers pattern and different species of birds are depicted.
Archiepiscopal Chapel, wall mosaic decoration, vestibule: barrel vault. The decorative motif is composed of stylized flowers pattern and a representation of different species of birds.
Archiepiscopal Chapel wall mosaic decoration, lunette: birds, chrismon, leaves and fruit branches.
Marble patera with two birds and a plant
Detail of carved wall decoration, in the form of a single-light window. The decorative motifs feature, from top to bottom, two symmetrical birds (parrots?) and two peacocks on a tree, and a lion grabbing a bovine. The motifs are framed by a dentil cornice…
Detail of Sigwald slab from the baptismal font of Callistus. Lower part: stylized tree (Tree of Life) with two branches ending in a lion's head. On the sides of the tree, there are two griffins and two birds holding up bunches of grapes. A Latin inscr…
Left side of the sarcophagus of St. Savino: two birds are depicted in the middle of a vine between a cross, above them appear two doves between a cross
Right side of the sarcophagus: a cross is depicted with the greek letters alpha and omega and two birds in its arms.
This gold buckle is joined by a hinge to both tongue and loop. The buckle's plate is embossed with a bird and leaf design.
Chancel slab with birds