Byzantine secular silver in play

Three of Greece’s major museums are passing the plate around for members of the public to help them buy a unique set of silver dinnerware dating from the 12th century. The nine plates, with gilt decorative motifs, were probably made in Istanbul and may have belonged to a powerful Byzantine family.

The plates are in perfect condition and are unique in that they are secular pieces and a set, not isolated items.

From eKathimerini; more here through Agence France-Presse:

The decorative motifs etched into the plates -- which include a personification of the sea and a horseman resembling Saint George -- attest to the "aesthetic continuity between Antiquity, Byzantium and neo-Hellenic art", explained the director of Athens' Byzantine museum, Dimitris Constantio.

Delivorias said the collector, who lived abroad, had offered to sell the plates to Greece and after negotiations had agreed on a price of 2.2 million euros (2.6 million dollars).

The silver will be on display at the Benaki so donors can see what they are getting for their money.

Posted by David on October 26, 2003 7:08 PM