Byzantine Empire, ca. 10th to 11th century CE. A cast bronze belt, composed of four hinged segments, each decorated on one face with cloisonne enamel. These are in red, yellow, blue, and black. Abstract shield and boss-like motifs on each face create a fascinating colorful and textural surface with an excellent aged patina. The segments are held together with long iron pins aside from the joint between the central two, which have a more complex bronze hinge. Made to be worn by a wealthy person, probably a woman. Size: 10" W x 2.4" H (25.4 cm x 6.1 cm); 4.5" H (11.4 cm) on included custom stand.

The cloisonne technique in the Byzantine Empire was perfected during this time to have incredibly thin wires, allowing more precision and detail in depictions. The artisan would paste or solder wires (cloisons, from the French word for "partition"), onto the metal body of the pendant. They would then fill in between the wires with a colored enamel paste and fire it at a low temperature. Because enamel often shrinks when fired, the process could be repeated several times. Then the surface of the pendant would be polished until the leading edges of the cloisons appeared, creating fine metal borders in the image. Byzantine cloisonne work was so beautiful that it inspired artisans throughout Migration period and medieval Europe.

Provenance: private Davis Collection; ex Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA

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#132821

Dark, smooth patina on surface. Some of the cloisons are missing their enamel or have cracked enamel, but in general the enamel is in nice condition, though it has been darkened by time.