Arcosolium fragment with Gothic arch and bird

Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Marble
Date range: 13th - 14th century AD
Origin: From Athens

Fragment of a marble arcosolium (burial monument), identified as BXM 1094. The piece is distinguished by its Western style relief decoration, which reflects the strong influence of Western European art forms in the Byzantine region during the Frankish period following the Fourth Crusade. The fragment is surmounted by a decorative Gothic three-lobed arch (or trefoil arch), which frames the central scene.

The central relief features a prominent cross at the top of the scene. Below the cross, the decoration is composed of highly detailed, stylized elements. On the right, a bird (possibly a dove or an eagle) is depicted in profile, holding a stalk of wheat or grain in its beak. On the left, a coiled rope or serpent-like motif entwines around a stylized bundle of wheat or palm fronds. Below these elements, the base of the relief features a row of fleur-de-lis motifs. The imagery, particularly the Gothic arch and the fleur-de-lis, firmly places the artifact within the 13th-14th century AD period when Frankish influence was prevalent in Athens.

Museum label reference: Part of a marble arcosolium (burial monument) with Western style relief decoration, surmounted by a Gothic three-lobed arch. From Athens. 13th-14th c.

Original Text: Τμήμα μαρμάρινου αρκοσολίου (ταφικού μνημείου) με ανάγλυφη διακόσμηση δυτικής τεχνοτροπίας, που περιβάλλεται από γοτθικό τρίλοβο τόξο. Από την Αθήνα. 13ος-14ος αι. BXM 1094

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Part of a marble arcosolium (burial monument) with Western style relief decoration, surmounted by a Gothic three-lobed arch

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Source:  Athens, Greece