Icon with Saint Demetrios
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Byzantine, second half of the 10th century
Ivory
7 3/4 x 4 3/4 (19.6 x 12.2 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters Collection, New York, N.Y. (1970.324.3)
The animated figure of this military saint vigorously confronts the viewer. He dominates the space; his halo and the tip of his broken spear even transgress the borders of the frame. The saint is shown in a waist-length corselet made of small plates of iron or horn laced together or fastened to a leather backing. From this protective vest are suspended strips or scales of metal or leather that form a short skirt. His tunic protrudes from below his armor. A mantle is slung over his left shoulder and fastened on his right. He wears guards on his arms and greaves on his legs. These were generally made of iron splints cushioned with wool or cotton padding. He carries a spear in his right hand; with his left he steadies his ornamented shield, which is suspended from a strap over his arm. The sword that protrudes from behind his torso is suspended from a baldric.
Saint Demetrios is believed to have been a deacon who was killed in Serbia in the late third century while preaching the Christian gospel. His legend grew in the East. During the Middle Byzantine period he began to be represented in military dress, literally as a soldier of Christ. He is known as the patron saint of both the city of Thessalonike, Greece, and the church of Constantinople.
Originally, the plaque may have been fastened by nails to a wooden panel as one of a group of saints on an icon or an iconostasis. At some point the area between the saint's feet was cut out, probably so that the plaque could be attached to a pole and carried in procession as an icon.
Classroom Hints:
Notice: material, pose, costume, expression
Discuss: identity, writing, patterns, function
Compare: David and Goliath; Saint George from a Set of Medallions
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