AN IMPORTANT BYZANTINE BRONZE PLAQUE OF THE VIRGIN HAGIOSORITISSA

Description:

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11,5 x 9,5 x 1 cm
Christ appearing in the top left corner in a meniscus, the Virgin flanked by an inscription in Greek MATER THEOU, the central panel surrounded by eighteen saints within beaded borders, each with an inscription in Greek signalling (clock-wise from top left) Elias, two archangels (?), Peter and Paul, John Prodromos, John Chrysostom, Basil, Nicholas, Epiphanios, Cosmas and Damian, Sergios and Bacchos (?), unidentified bishop saint (Of..?), Nicholas of Myra, Gregory the Theologian and John the Evangelist. Slightly worn.
Important private collection, Rhineland, acquired at Christie's London, 30 November 1983, lot 121, dated there as 12th century.
Early bronze plaques were usually cast from wax models (known as cire-perdu), while thinner and smaller plaques were also taken from gems or other materials, according to M.C. Ross. Lit. M. C. Ross, Catalogue of the Byzantine and Early Medieval Antiquities in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Volume I. Metalwork, Washington, 1962, No. 62 ff. (text).
A stylistically similar plaque depicting the Hodegetria and saints made of copper can be found in the British Museum, as well as a small icon of the Hodegetria made of steatite. Lit. Byzantinum, Treasures of Byzantine Art and Culture from British Collections, British Museum Press, Ed. David Buckton, Cat. No. 159, 213.
The Walters Art Museum collection preserves a Byzantine plaque (Constantinople, 12th century) depicting the Virgin Haiosoritissa, who is also depicted here. https://art.thewalters.org/object/54.83/