Βυζαντιναί παρενδύσεις Ενετίας. Luxurious book-covers in the Biblioteca Marciana

Abstract

The article reexamines the three book covers that were used in three Gothic in style manuscripts which were commissioned in the 14^th century by the Doge Dandolo for the liturgical needs of the church of San Marco, and which are nowadays housed in the Biblioteca Marciana. Two of the codices were decorated on their cover with two luxurious byzantine book-covers of the 9^th/10^th century, while the third is the product of a Venetian workshop of the 13^th century. These book-covers are commented upon their features and the original composition of their enamels. Furthermore, another book-cover is also brought in the discussion, that of the Greek codex which was given to Venice as an imperial gift by the emperor John VIII Palaiologos. It is concluded from the above the political intent of the Doge’s donations by which he meant to appoint Venice as an heiress partaking of the Byzantine culture herself.