Ciborium of the Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč - Wall mosaic decoration

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium, dome vault, starry sky

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium, dome vault, starry sky

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OBJECT

OBJECT

Definition

wall mosaic decoration

Identification

decorative complex

Name/Dedication

Ciborium of the Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč - Wall mosaic decoration

SUBJECT

SUBJECT

Identification

Ciborium of the Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč – Wall mosaic decoration

Iconographic description

This is a structure with a square layout and four marble columns supporting the same number of capitals of different shapes, some of which look like those from the basilica. An inscription on the western side of the stone cornice around the Annunciation scene attests that the ciborium was placed in 1272, as ordered by Otto, the Bishop of Poreč. This side of the ciborium is undoubtedly the most interesting, being the most visibly accessible. Here, the Annunciation scene is depicted, the same as the one decorating the Euphrasian basilica's central apse. The different sides of the ciborium host medallions depicting saints with their names inscribed. On the southern side, we find Maurus and Eleutherius, on the northern side, Acolyte and Projectus, while on the eastern side we can find Demetrius and Julian. The vault of the ciborium's dome is entirely covered with a light blue mosaic surface dotted with eight-pointed stars. A stone with a relief sculpture of a lamb has been inserted near the keystone.

GEOGRAPHICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LOCATION

Country

Croazia

City

Poreč

Locality

Parenzo

SPECIFIC LOCATION

Typology

church

Qualification

cathedral

Denomination

Euphrasian Basilica

Date

539 - 560

Address

Eufrazijeva ulica (Euphrasius Street)

Specific location

central nave, presbytery

Notes

The first stage of the building's construction may be dated back to around 313 AD. Later, the complex was repeatedly reconstructed and totally restored and decorated by Bishop Euphrasius between 539 and 560. The ciborium was commissioned by Bishop Otto in 1277 and was constructed on the 10th anniversary of Poreč's recognition of Venetian rule. The ciborium's artistic language (sculpture and mosaics) is that of the Venetian craftsmen working at that time in St. Mark's factory in Venice.

LOCATION AND PROPERTY DATA

Original location

yes

CHRONOLOGY

GENERAL CHRONOLOGY

Century

13.

SPECIFIC CHRONOLOGY

From

1277

ca.

To

1277

Validity

ca.

bibliography

PRELOG, MILAN La Basilica Eufrasiana a Parenzo

CULTURAL DEFINITION

AUTHOR

Name

Workers from Venice from the second half of the 13. century working at St. Mark's

Personal data/chronology

13. century

Grounds of basing the dates

bibliography

Abbreviation: short citation

DEMUS, OTTO The ciborium mosaics of Parenzo

Specific

p. 238-245

COMMISSIONER

Name

Otto

Date

13. century

Circumstance of the commission

construction of the ciborium

Notes

The marble ciborium, placed in 1277 in the apse of the Euphrasian Basilica, was commissioned by Bishop Otto. This is attested to by the inscription engraved on the western side of the ciborium.

SUPPORT

SUPPORT

Typology

fixed

Material

gravestone slab

Notes

The slab supporting the mosaic surface is made of marble.

SUBGRADES

SUBGRADES

Notes

The mosaic was laid with lime mortar on marble supports.

TESSERAE

TESSERAE MATERIAL

Material

limestone

Color

white

Typology

natural

Use method

On the edges of the halo, certain areas of the saints' faces, in the gowns and features of the individual saints, in the medallion rims.

TESSERAE (2)

TESSERAE MATERIAL

Material

marble

Color

light grey

Typology

natural

Use method

For the shade in the saints' faces and gowns, in certain areas of the architecture behind the figure of the Virgin Mary and the Annunciation.

TESSERAE (3)

TESSERAE MATERIAL

Material

gilded glass

Color

gold

Typology

artificial

Use method

For the background of the Annunciation scene and on the remaining three sides of the ciborium with figurative depictions, in the stars on the dome, on the backdrop behind the martyrs' figures, inside the medallions, and in the area around the inscription in the ciborium dome.

TESSERAE (4)

TESSERAE MATERIAL

Material

glass paste

Color

blue

Typology

artificial

Use method

For the sky in the ciborium dome, for the bottom near the figures of St. Demetrius and Julian, and in certain parts of their gowns.

TESSERAE (5)

TESSERAE MATERIAL

Material

marble

Color

black

Typology

natural

Use method

For the inscriptions with the names of the saints, on the inscription of the Annunciation scene in the ciborium dome.

SIZES OF ARTWORK

SIZES OF ARTWORK

Unit of measurement

cm

Height

407

Width

610

PRESERVATION STATUS & RESTORATION

PRESERVATION STATUS

Date

1895, ante | 1895

Reference to the part

Annunciation; St. Maurus and St. Eleutherius; St. Acolyte and St. Projectus; St. Demetrius and St. Julian; starry sky

Description

The mosaic is fairly well preserved even though many tiles have fallen off. There are also gaps and integrations which are impossible to date.

RESTORATION

Date

1895 - 1896

Reference to the part

Annunciation; St. Maurus and St. Eleutherius; St. Acolyte and St. Projectus; St. Demetrius and St. Julian; starry sky

Description

Pietro Bornia consolidated the figurative areas of all four depictions of the saints, and his assistant Lorenzo Sferco worked on the decorative areas. There are no documents attesting to the restored parts and the work performed. A segment of the ciborium dome was certainly restored, whereas the missing parts were integrated with mortar and painted with matching colours for a seamless look. The right rear corner of the mosaic surface was consolidated with numerous tiles plastered on the mortar bed with the help of small bronze clamps (BERNARDI 2006, I mosaici della basilica eufrasiana pp. 37, 228).

LEGAL STATUS AND RESTRICTION

LEGAL STATUS

General indication

property of the clergy

Specific indication

Dioceses of Poreč-Pula

Address

Trg J. Dobrile 2, Porec (J. Dobrile Square 2, Poreč)

DOCUMENTARY & INFORMATIVE SOURCES

IMAGES

pa_be_003-med.jpg

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium, dome vault, starry sky

IMAGES

pa_be_005-med.jpg

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium

IMAGES

pa_be_009-med.jpg

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica, ciborium

BIBLIOGRAPHY

PRELOG, MILAN La Basilica Eufrasiana a Parenzo

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ORLIC, DRAGO 2004 Sv Mavar - novi pocetak (ili knjiga spomenar)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

DEMUS, OTTO The ciborium mosaics of Parenzo

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CUSCITO, GIUSEPPE Parenzo

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BALDINI, MARINO Sv. Mavar u umjetnickoj ostavstini

BIBLIOGRAPHY

POGATSCHNIG, ANTONIO Guida di Parenzo : con piante della citta, di Marafor e della Basilica e con varie illustrazioni

BIBLIOGRAPHY

PRELOG, MILAN Porec, grad i spomenici

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BERNARDI, GABRIELLA I mosaici della basilica eufrasiana di Parenzo : documenti per la storia dei restauri (1862 - 1916)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOVINI, GIUSEPPE Le antichità cristiane della fascia costiera istriana da Parenzo a Pola

BIBLIOGRAPHY

MOLAJOLI, BRUNO La basilica Eufrasiana di Parenzo

BIBLIOGRAPHY

NEGRI, GASPARE Della chiesa di Parenzo