Properties
| ID | 134917 |
|---|---|
| System Class | Place |
| Case Study | Beyond East and West: Sacred Landscapes Duklja and Raška , Tabula Imperii Byzantini , TIB 17 |
Relations
Artifacts (1)
| Name | Class | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Staurotheke of Saint Sava of Serbia, Diocesan Museum in Pienza | Artifact | The staurotheke of Saint Sava of Serbia is today kept in the Diocesan Museum in Pienza. Along with the Forerunner's arm (now in the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist in Siena Cathedral), the Despot of Morea Thomas Palaiologos gave it to Pope Pius II (1458-1464), who then donated it to Pienza. The silver-gilt reliquary has the shape of a double-arm cross and is richly decorated with filigree, pearls and precious stones. The relic of the True Cross can be viewed through two cruciform apertures sheltered by rock crystal. Apart from exquisite craftsmanship the staurotheke carries a rather complex symbolism, common in this type of objects. Its handle bears a calligraphic repoussé inscription: "Sava, the first Serbian archbishop and patriarch". The reliquary replaced an older one and has been reliably dated to the last quarter of the 14th century by style and workmanship, as well as by the title "patriarch" attributed to Saint Sava of Serbia, which reflects the state of affairs after 1375, when the dispute between the Serbian and Byzantine churches caused by the former's elevation to the rank of patriarchate was settled. |