Byzantine

The Byzantine World

I've always had an deep interest in the Byzantine world. It is exotic and familiar at the same time; simple, yet deceptively complex. When I started working on my Byzantine research in the mid 80's, there was almost nothing available. Only Mistress Veleda of Isenfir had published anything and that was nearly impossible to find. To this day I still don't have a copy...
So, I decided I'd find out what I could. I've written up and published everything I could find, as I found it. I'm a big believer of sharing information. No one should have to reinvent the wheel if they don't want to.
My main area of interest is fabrics and clothing, but I do have some links to other areas as well. I'm pleased to see more research coming up concerning cooking, another favourite area of mine.

Byzantine Clothes

  1. Information on how to create your own. This was a handout I had for when I taught this at EKUs many years ago.
  2. basic patterns also given with the handout above.
  3. Pattern for a period caftan. This is Turkish/eastern in cut as there are no shaped armholes. Late 15th Cent.
  4. Costuming Bibliograbhy - Last real update was 1995.
  5. Silk Descriptions - From the British Museum's "Byzantium: Treasures of Byzantine Art and Culture" Exhibit

A number of years ago, I wrote a Compleat Anachronist. It was #75, Vestarios: Clothing of the Eastern Roman Empire. I also did an article on Coptic Tunics for Tournaments Illuminated:Issue #107, Summer 1993. I also made the Fire and Ice robes for the then royals, Jarl Ruslan Novgorodcev and Countess Margaret ni Conner. Sadly I have no photos of either gentle in these clothes. If any of you out there have some and are willing to share, I'd be most grateful.

Me in some Byzantine....
Me in my clothes

More images of my completed items:
  • Detail of a cuff from a garment patterened after the Alb of Roger II. (in progress)
  • The red and black linen tunica patterned after Roger II (in progress) Done in reverse chain stitch.
  • The Red Gloves - made from the ground up. This pattern is not correct as the pinkie finger was cut from the same cloth as the body. I fixed that on the second glove. Patterned after the Holy Roman Emperor gloves.

Links of Byzantine Interest


Author: Black Tauna blktauna at shawstudios com.
Last Updated: 9-12 2006

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