Sion treasure
The Sion treasure , which is also called the Kumluca treasure because of its location, was found in 1963 in Kumluca in Turkey (ancient Korydalla in Lycia ). Along with the treasure of Kaper Koraon, it is the largest early Byzantine silver treasure trove . The treasure trove consists of 53 to 58 objects as well as 22 covers and various nails, chains and a copper coin. Today the objects are partly in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection in Washington, DC and partly in the Archaeological Museum in Antalya .
Find history
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The history of the find cannot be exactly reconstructed. The hoard was discovered by residents of Kumluca and the antiques dealer Georges Zacos sold parts of the treasure to Mrs Robert Woods Bliss in 1963 (for about US $ 1 million). She donated the antiques to the Dumbarton Oaks Museum, whose curator John Seymour Thacher had seen the pieces at Zacos in Switzerland.
At the same time, Turkish archaeologists carried out excavations in the area and unearthed other silver objects that are now in the collection of the Antalya Archeological Museum. As a result of the first publications of the objects from the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, the Antalya Archaeological Museum became aware of them and recognized the connection between the 38 objects in Washington and the 13-18 objects in Turkish possession. This resulted in a legal dispute between the two museums over the ownership of the treasure, which continues to this day.
It is certain that there are two privately owned properties in England and Switzerland, but it is unclear whether these are the only privately owned properties.
Object overview
The scope of the Sion treasure amounts to around 53 to 58 objects, plus 22 covers, as well as some nails, chains and a copper coin. Except for the coin, all parts are made of silver, or were coated with silver.
In addition to 46 inscriptions, which can be grouped into intercessions , oaths and formulas , there are also 12 monograms. 16-18 people are named, including nine donors . Based on the number of their foundations, five main benefactors can be identified: three bishops , a priest , a cleric and two deacons. The largest foundation came from one of the bishops (Eutychianos), who made the largest foundation with 29 objects.
The inscriptions are made in five techniques: with niello inlay , in à-jour , driving and chasing work , and with engraving .
In the treasure, according to Susan A. Boyd:
| Property type | number | decoration | Technical specifications | State of preservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Godparents | 6th | 3 × Christogram; 3 × cross | ø 58-77.5 cm | good to slightly damaged |
| Asterisk | 1 | - | ø 50.5 cm; height 28.7 cm | not known |
| Chalices | 6th | Inscriptions, ribbons, crosses | ø 14.5–22.5 cm; height: 9–16 cm | badly damaged; z. Partly only preserved fragmented |
| Amphorae | 3 | Handle in ram's horn look, inscriptions | not known | 2 × good; 1 × fragmented |
| Jug | 1 | gold-plated ribbon | Height about 36 cm | damaged |
| Incense burners | 2 | Inscriptions, medallions with portraits of saints, cycle of Mary | ø 17-20.2 cm; Height: 9.8-15.2 cm | badly damaged |
| Book cover pairs | 3 | Cross, Christ between apostles | 23.8 x 25 cm; 30 × 37 cm | 2 × good; 1 × fragmented |
| Poly candelabra | 12 | Dolphins, cross, shamrock, circles, floral | 3 × round: approx. Ø 56 cm; 3 × cross-shaped: approx. 56 × 56 to 59 × 59 cm; 6 × rectangular: approx. 20 cm × 30 cm | Well |
| Lamps | 13 | Cross, arkanthus leaf, heart, triangle, inscription | Height: 3.3-18.5 cm; ø 8.3-21.4 cm | z. T. rolled up and rolled flat |
| More small objects | 5 | (Bronze), coin (copper, shows Leo I or Zeno); Rings (not known); Decorative ribbons | Pliers: 13.8 cm; Coin: 0.85 g; Rings: ø 2 cm | fragmented to good |
| Covers | 22nd | Inscriptions, arkanthus leaf | Height: 7.9-100 cm; ø 2–11.2 cm; Length: 64-116 cm | fragmented to good |
In addition to the donor's inscriptions, there are also place names. Often there is a single reference to 'Hagios Sion' and 'Tessai'. The meaning of these designations cannot be clearly clarified. The frequent mention of 'Hagios Sion' indicates a connection between the objects, even before the time of the burial.
The size, number of inscriptions and the decoration of the objects make the Sion treasure stand out from other silver treasures of the early Byzantine era.
Presentation of individual objects
Book cover
The Sion Treasure contains a total of three pairs of book covers, one of which has only survived in fragments. This and a second show the motif "Christ flanked by apostles ".
The other well-preserved pair of book covers has a central cross motif on a rectangular base (30 × 37 cm), which is framed by a meander band in each of the corners of which a floral motif can be seen. The Latin cross with curly arms is flanked on the right and left by a gilded plant motif and a column. The columns end in a Corinthian capital on which an arch spanning the cross rests. Four gilded palm fronds are depicted to the right and left of the arch. The inner area of the arch is filled with a shell above the cross. The front and back have identical motifs on a silver background with gilded areas. The parts of the motif are uniformly shaped in driving work and are partially lined with a chased pearl border. Combining the iconographic attributes of the book cover creates the impression of a tree of life iconography of the cross that has existed since the 5th century.
Round and cross-shaped poly candelabra
A large part of the treasure's foundations are light elements. These include the poly candelabra, two of which are presented here as examples.
The round, silver poly candelabra is made using the à jour technique and has a diameter of 55.8 cm. The center forms a cross-shaped element in an open circle. The four cross arms each end in a circular motif, each flanked by two dolphins. Above each of the four circular recesses there is a monogram (2 from Eutychianos, 2 from other bishops), which is separated from the circular motif by a floral decorative element towards the central cross motif. This is followed by a circular, nielloed ribbon with a Greek inscription, which separates the inner motif of the poly candelabra from the outer one. The outer motif is again adorned with circular recesses, cross-shaped motifs and heart-shaped elements.
Another group are the cross-shaped poly candelabra. Like all the polychandeliers from the find, these are made of flat silver and have the shape of a Greek cross . One of those cruciform poly candelabra represents the object with the thickest material from the find, with a thickness of 2.1 to 3.8 mm. Each contains a centrally located monogram, which is made in breakthrough work and can be resolved as "Eutychianos, Bishop". The monogram is surrounded by a circumferential band with a nielloed inscription that asks for the help of the Triune Lord. A pair of dolphins can be seen at the base of each cross arm, each leading to an open circle. The circles are flanked by floral ornaments, the rough shape of which was worked out using the à jour technique. The fine interior drawings are engraved. The cross arms widen outward over the outer contour of the leaves and end in two open circles per arm. The three cross-shaped poly candelabra all have the same formula and are almost identical. It is noticeable that they have different monograms from the same bishop.
The dolphins that can be found on all poly candelabra can be seen as a Christian symbol. In general, the dolphin is a symbol of safety, rescue and security. In the Christian understanding it stands for Christ himself, who functions as a 'savior of souls'. The connection with a light element fits within the framework of this interpretation, as the light can be interpreted as a symbol of life itself or of eternal life.
Godparents with Christogram and cross motif
A paten with Christ's monogram is relatively large with a diameter of 60.5 cm; it is made of silver and partly gilded. The central symbol is a gold-plated Christogram with a double outline. It is surrounded by two thin, gold-plated bands that delimit an engraved inscription. That inscription contains niello inclusions and says that the paten was donated at the time of Eutychianos. The slightly raised edge is divided into 24 'tongues', which in turn have gilded medallions in the repousse technique. Floral patterns are depicted within the medallions. As a final motif, leaves can be seen which, like the 'tongues', are designed in repousse technique and are gilded. These are alternating palmettes and acanthus leaves . The paten stands on a flat, preserved standing ring. Stamps cannot be proven.
The translation of the inscription reads: “This was established in the time of our most holy and blessed Bishop Eutychianos.” This formula occurs twice within the treasure, and it can be said with relative certainty that it was already during the 4th-7th centuries. Century was used for dating. In this case, however, one is faced with the problem that the named Bishop Eutychianos cannot be grasped historically and the inscription therefore does not give a clear indication of a date.
Other godparents are decorated with a cross. The group includes a paten with a diameter of 58.5 cm. This is also made of silver and partially gold-plated. A Latin cross with curved arms is engraved as a central element. The cross is surrounded by two gilded, unadorned ribbons that bear an inscription that refers to the memory of a Johannes and his daughter Procle. Here, too, the edge is divided into 'tongues', every second one of which is gold-plated. The 'tongues' were created in driving work. This paten forms a pair with a second, which is almost identical and only differs by 0.5 cm in diameter.
Dating
Dating takes place primarily through the stamps on the objects, only secondarily through stylistic and epigraphic comparisons. Finally, the coin found with the treasure can also be consulted. Since it refers to a much earlier date than the other dating factors, it can only be interpreted as a terminus post quem for the Sion treasure. From a stylistic and epigraphic point of view, there is a multitude of comparative pieces such as the godfathers of the Kaper Koraon and the Beth Misona treasure. These refer to a date in the 6th century AD.
In this case, the most important indication of the date is the stamp. The mere presence of stamps , the use of which arose in the time of Anastasios I (491-518), is an indication of the dating of the treasure from the late 5th century. In addition, cross-shaped stamps can be seen, which only appear from the time of Justinian I (527-565). The monogram within the stamp raises difficulties, however, since Justinian's monogram differs only minimally from Justin II's and in this case cannot be clearly distinguished. On the other stamps the names of three different so-called Comes sacrarum largitionum (financial administrators) can be seen. These are historically inconceivable, but they give an indication, as the existence of three different financial managers means that a period of approx. 15 years can be assumed for the production. Thus the late reign of Justinian and the early reign of Justin II come into question and the production period of the finds can be dated with high probability in the period from 550 to 575.
discussion
The state of preservation of the objects ranges from very good to fragmented, folded or rolled. The flat objects in particular are remarkably well preserved, whereas voluminous objects such as goblets etc. were found either fragmented, rolled or folded. This could indicate that the items are hacked silver or melt-down items. On the other hand, an acute threat could also have been the reason for a hasty burial, whereby the silver objects were treated with little care. The time of resignation cannot be determined.
Many of the objects are provided with the usual five stamps, which indicates a capital city production and is useful for dating. On some pieces, however, a sixth stamp can be seen. This phenomenon is unique and there are no comparative works in the epoch. If there is a sixth stamp, this is in any case a stamp that has already been used, i.e. a repetition of one of the five remaining stamps and not a new, different stamp. However, the items with six stamps are all items for which an 'attached item' is assumed, such as a stand. The common opinion therefore states that the sixth stamp refers to the attached part and also wants to prove its production in the capital. It cannot be ruled out that although the pieces were manufactured and stamped in a Constantinople workshop, they were more or less purchased as blanks and decorated in a local workshop. In the case of the Sion treasure, this can even be assumed, since several objects are present in pairs, i.e. two almost identical pieces can be found, with only one of the two being stamped. The enormous similarities in the decoration and in particular the decoration technique as well as the design of the inscriptions suggests the processing in the same workshop.
Since the inventory of the hoard is mainly liturgical equipment, one can speak of a church treasure . There are godparents and chalices that are needed for the distribution of the Eucharistic gifts . The decoration and inscriptions indicate the liturgical use: The Christ monogram appears several times, and portraits of Christ , Peter and Paul can be clearly identified. This also fits in with the frequent mention of donors, because in the 6th century church foundations for the salvation of individuals were common and, according to some sources, even of similar importance to charity .
The assignment to a specific church is not clearly possible. The multiple references to “Hagios Sion” in the inscriptions suggests that the silver comes from a Sion church. In the Lycian region, there is archaeological evidence of a Sion monastery in the port city of Myra , which is almost 40 km from the site. On the other hand, the opinion is expressed that the phrase 'Hagios Sion' does not refer to a church or monastery, but actually to Mount Zion in Jerusalem . This assumption is supported by the fact that no concrete church is named within the inscriptions, but only the phrase 'Hagios Sion'. In this case it could be assumed that a group of donors had a special connection to Mount Zion and hoped for help from this holy place.
literature
- Church Treasure . In: Handbook of the Byzantine Collection . Dumbarton Oaks, Washington DC 1967, 18-20.
- Ernst Kitzinger : A Pair of Silver Book Covers in the Sion Treasure. In: Gatherings in Honor of Dorothy E. Miner. Baltimore 1974. pp. 3-18 (again in Ernst Kitzinger: Studies in Late Antique Byzantine and Medieval Western Art Vol. 1 (London 2002) 279-296).
- Arne Effenberger (Ed.): Late antiquity and early Byzantine silver vessels from the Leningrad State Hermitage . (Berlin 1978) 24-25, 33, 46, 49, 54, 56, 58, 61, 71.
- Ihor Ševčenko : The Sion Treasure: The Evidence of the Inscriptions; Erica Cruikshank Dodd, The Question of Workshop. Evidence of the Stamps in the Sion Treasure; R. Newman, The Technical Examination and Conservation of Objects in the Sion Treasure ; Susan A. Boyd, A "Metropolitan" Treasure from a Church in the Provinces. An Introduction to the Study of the Sion Treasure . In: Susan A. Boyd, Marlia M. Mango (Eds.): Ecclesiastical Silver Plate in Sixth-Century Byzantium. Papers of the Symposium held May 16-18, 1986 at the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore and Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, DC (Washington 1986) 5-33, 39-63, 76-89.
- M. Rose, Ö. Acar: Turkey's War on the Illicit Antiquities Tade . In: Archeology 48, 1995, 45-56.
- Ruth E. Leader-Newby: Silver and Society in Late Antiquity. Functions and Meanings of Silver Plate in the Fourth to Seventh Centuries. (Aldershot 2004) 82-97.
