Seeing in Stone: Recycled Treasures in the Middle Ages

Paton, William John Burney (2000) Seeing in Stone: Recycled Treasures in the Middle Ages. MPhil(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The use of hardstones with various properties and histories in church objects was an iconographic statement in its own right. This iconography was shaped and manipulated through the new form or use of the object, usually through its new mounts. The pieces discussed contain layers and layers of meaning: religious resonances fitting for liturgical vessels or the political self-presentation of various patrons or institutions, exemplified by Roger II, Frederick II and Suger. Sometimes in investigating the core object conflicts seem apparent, like the use of Islamic vessels in the Church; sometimes a hardstone's provenance could be its most valued feature, other times mounts were designed to mislead the viewer, manipulating the meaning of an object, disguising its origin for iconographic purposes. These objects were quotations, referring to specific powers or people, their properties either natural or created through craftsmanship, making each one part of a structured iconographic programme. These programmes involved the iconography of religion, the iconography of empire, or both. These hardstones were appropriated to refer to power, be it divine, ancient, royal or Byzantine.

• Item Type: Thesis (MPhil(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Michael Michael
• Keywords: Art history, Religious history
• Date of Award: 2000
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2000-76074
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 16:51
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 16:51
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76074