1376 / 1400, Istanbul

1376 / 1400, Istanbul

Identifier
12.104.1
Transfer of custody
Victoria and Albert Museum
Acquisition
Rogers Fund, 1912
Collection
Material
Technique
Depiction
Dimension
148.60000610351562 cm (height)
129.89999389648438 cm (width)
Production time
Production place
Type of object

Description

The double-headed eagle became the primary symbol of the state during the late Byzantine centuries and was also adopted for liturgical use. This huge eagle was probably used as an altar cloth or as a podea, a skirt hung beneath an icon. The inscription, which connects the owner with distinguished imperial dynasties, exaggerated the claims of a pretender to the patriarchal throne.