
May one see it?
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
Datable Byzantine reliefs are extremely rare, so this circular carving is very important in the study of sculpture from Constantinople. It can be firmly dated and used as a comparison piece for dating other works. The inscription around the edge of the disk invokes the help of the Virgin for the aged Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates (1078-1081) who was seventy-six when he reached the throne and it has been suggested that this roundel may have formed part of the decoration for his tomb.
Victoria and Albert Museum