Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/athos/en/e218bg2.asp

Modern Greek Stone-Carving

7.2 Relief plaque
1781
Protaton
Marble, 97.5 x 61.5 cm
Island workshop

The plaque is embedded in the wall of the belfry. Within a frame that forms a pointed western arch, a two-headed eagle with wings en pointe and a blank oval medallion for a body is depicted wearing lily-decked crowns. The right talon clutches the imperial orb (like the crown, a symbol of royalty) and the left two keys on a ring. A third crown with an oversized cross rests on the two necks.
The two-headed eagle is a symbol with multiple connotations: apotropaic, royal, national, religious, heraldic. On Mount Athos its symbolism is chiefly national, royal, and religious, a reminder of ever-present Byzantium.
In the two-headed eagle examined here, the western features indicate a workshop from one of the islands, where western influence was stronger than on the mainland. In particular, the pseudo-escutcheon-like body and the wavy hatching with which the wings and tail are rendered bear a striking resemblance to a similar motif on a marble closure panel in the templon (1780) in the Church of the Hagios Taxiarchis in Amonaklio, Andros (Karagatsi 1996, p. 97, fig. 48). This date accords with the date of the reconstruction of the Protaton belfry in 1781: "1781 ιουλίου α' / παλεότητι του χρόνου ε/σαθρόθην εις κάλος δ' αύθις εκ / βάθρον καινουργήθην (...)" (Damaged by the passage of time, was rebuilt in July 1781). Both reliefs seem to be based on the same western heraldic model.
However, the national and religious symbolism also takes other forms here: the first in the keys in the eagle's talon, which symbolise the Ruling City of Constantinople itself (according to the folksong, 'The City is the key to the world') and await the day when they will open it once again; the second in the stylised seraphim at the top, which have both a devotional and a protective significance (see also no. 7.1).

Bibliography: Smyrnakis 1903, p. 699. Millet - Pargoire - Petit 1904, p. 12 (the inscription).

A.E.F.

Index of exhibits of Protato
18th century

Icon of the Mother of God and New Testament Reader

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Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/athos/en/e218bg2.asp

Modern Greek Stone-Carving	7.2 Relief plaque 1781 Protaton Marble, 97.5 x 61.5 cm Island workshop

	The plaque is embedded in the wall of the belfry. Within a frame that forms a pointed western arch, a two-headed eagle with wings en pointe and a blank oval medallion for a body is depicted wearing lily-decked crowns. The right talon clutches the imperial orb (like the crown, a symbol of royalty) and the left two keys on a ring. A third crown with an oversized cross rests on the two necks. The two-headed eagle is a symbol with multiple connotations: apotropaic, royal, national, religious, heraldic. On Mount Athos its symbolism is chiefly national, royal, and religious, a reminder of ever-present Byzantium. In the two-headed eagle examined here, the western features indicate a workshop from one of the islands, where western influence was stronger than on the mainland. In particular, the pseudo-escutcheon-like body and the wavy hatching with which the wings and tail are rendered bear a striking resemblance to a similar motif on a marble closure panel in the templon (1780) in the Church of the Hagios Taxiarchis in Amonaklio, Andros (Karagatsi 1996, p. 97, fig. 48). This date accords with the date of the reconstruction of the Protaton belfry in 1781: "1781 ιουλίου α' / παλεότητι του χρόνου ε/σαθρόθην εις κάλος δ' αύθις εκ / βάθρον καινουργήθην (...)" (Damaged by the passage of time, was rebuilt in July 1781). Both reliefs seem to be based on the same western heraldic model. However, the national and religious symbolism also takes other forms here: the first in the keys in the eagle's talon, which symbolise the Ruling City of Constantinople itself (according to the folksong, 'The City is the key to the world') and await the day when they will open it once again; the second in the stylised seraphim at the top, which have both a devotional and a protective significance (see also no. 7.1).
	Bibliography: Smyrnakis 1903, p. 699. Millet - Pargoire - Petit 1904, p. 12 (the inscription).
	A.E.F.
	Index of exhibits of Protato 18th century