A note on the research on the ewer with enamel plaques of St. Maurice d'Agaune
Csanád Bálint
There are very few objects equally well-known in the early medieval archaeology and art history of Western Europe, Byzantium, Sassanian Iran, Islam Avars, one them is ewer from monastery St. Maurice d’Agaune. It has not been doubted for long now that itself a ninth-century Carolingian goldwork. What debated uncertain, however, dating (6 to 12 century) origin decorative enamel plaques. Views differ significantly especially regarding latter (Iran, Abbasid Caliphate, Empire, Venice), 1946 M. Aga-Oglu counted 13 (!) versions,1 including theory Avar origin, which was put forward only after publication Turkish scholar’s article.2 Although I will be able provide here an answer either, hope contribute research by eliminating two candidates list most probable places origin. The article A. Alfoldi well received both scholars involved on cloisonne Hungarian archaeologists. easy explain: notion connections simply attractive.3 With regard international research, reason positive reaction could have they hoped receive guidance cultural affiliation object representational type unknown them, but apparently oriental Since none possibilities taken into account till then had convincing based available data, it understandable idea new region, culture, engaging. We note, who accepted Alfoldi’s views were well-trained – or even superficially informed about Avars Carpathian Basin. As consequence, realize insurmountable distance between plaques d’Agaune material, unrealism reconstruction as sceptre. In interpretation proposed jar come treasury Khaganate, more precisely hypothetical royal fact, he did suggest themselves products, sceptre decorated possession. According Alfoldi, manufactured ‘zweifellos einem der grosen Kunstzentren des fruhislamischen Nahen Ostens’.
Acta archaeologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae (Print)