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Altar Cloth or Podea

late 14th century
Not on view
The double-headed eagle became the primary symbol of the state during the late Byzantine centuries and was also adopted for liturgical use. This huge eagle was probably used as an altar cloth or as a podea, a skirt hung beneath an icon. The inscription, which connects the owner with distinguished imperial dynasties, exaggerated the claims of a pretender to the patriarchal throne.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Altar Cloth or Podea
  • Date: late 14th century
  • Geography: Made in probably Greece or Constantinople
  • Culture: Byzantine
  • Medium: Silk, embroidery
  • Dimensions: Overall (mounted): 62 5/8 × 55 5/8 × 2 in., 59 lb. (159.1 × 141.3 × 5.1 cm, 26.8 kg)
  • Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1912
  • Object Number: 12.104.1
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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