Following the trends set by the Romans, Byzantine jewellery became a continuation of Roman jewellery traditions. As in many other cultures throughout Antiquity, Byzantine jewellery acted not only as an embellishment, but most importantly as a direct display of someone’s wealth and social status. Thanks to its wealth, such precious jewels have been widely used during the Byzantine era, reaching their peak in stones embellishment and elaborated patterns. The law introduced by the Emperor Justinian in 529 AD, determining what gemstones were allowed to be worn and by whom, clearly confirms their importance.
To discover more about Byzantine jewellery, please visit our relevant blog post: The Byzantine Empire, Art and Christianity.
