Byzantine Interiors and Decoration

The sources of the present research about Byzantine domestic interiors, textiles and other household items derives from the visual arts and the Byzantine literature. Historians, emperors, travelers, ecclesiastic philosophers, bishops and monks at that time provide also substantial information about domestic interiors, decoration and furniture. The research material concerns the Byzantine era and territory, although it includes a few samples from Byzantine Italy and a few after Constantinople’s fall in 29 May 1453 by the Ottomans, which reflect the spirit of Byzantium. It does not include interiors and furniture from Christian Medieval Western Europe because it was mixed with the vigorous artistic culture of Northern Europe or post Byzantine because Baroque elements altered the Byzantine artistic culture. The scope of this book is to introduce mainly the glory of Byzantine interiors, textiles and other house decoration items through Byzantine Art taking into consideration that the Byzantine artist copied on his depictions the existing interiors at that time. These art sources include mosaics, frescos, icons, coins, seals and manuscript illuminations.