Remembering a Glorious Past: Two Byzantine Embroideries in Halberstadt Cathedral

• In Event: The Extended Narrative of the Object I

Abstract

Among the treasures that crusading bishop Konrad of Krosigk donated to Halberstadt cathedral in 1208 were two kalymmata or Little Aëres, a pair of veils to cover the patene and the chalice in the Greek Orthodox mass. This extraordinary example of gold and silk embroidery had originally been a donation of a high-standing state official in Byzantium. The veils underwent a complete alteration of their original function, however, when they were sewn onto two church banners in the late 14th or 15th century. Until now, little attention has been drawn to the question why the kalymmata were thus transformed. As I will argue in my paper these banners were intended to represent and commemorate the whole of the Byzantine treasures at Halberstadt Cathedral at a time when the bishopric faced economic and political crisis.

Author

• Patricia Kroschwald, Universität Leipzig