Byzantine jewellery was a full continuation of the Roman traditions. Production in the old jewellery centres of Alexandria and Antioch gave way to an increased production in Constantinople. In the Byzantine Empire, jewellery played an important role, acting as a way to express one’s status yet has also been used as a diplomatic tool. A variety of different metals were used such as silver, bronze, copper or gold, much like this example, to embellish vessels, ornaments and jewellery.
To find out more about different metal decorative techniques please see our relevant blog post: Decorative Metalwork Techniques
