Universität Wien

090113 UE All That Glitters…. Silver in Late Antiquity (2024W)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 9 - Altertumswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Room: Collection of Casts at the Depatment of Classical Archaeology Franz-Klein-Gasse/Philippovichgasse, 1190 Vienna;

  • Wednesday 02.10. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 09.10. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 16.10. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 23.10. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 30.10. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 06.11. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 13.11. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 20.11. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 27.11. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 04.12. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 11.12. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 08.01. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 15.01. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 22.01. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details
  • Wednesday 29.01. 14:00 - 15:30 Ort in u:find Details

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

While some forms of artistic production declined in Late Antiquity, silver production reached new heights as the imperial house, wealthy laypeople, and the Church commissioned fabulous objects. In the form of diplomatic gifts, dining sets, bathing ware, and liturgical objects, silver was a key part of prestige material culture and daily life. In the modern world, late antique silver continues to play an important role in how we discover, analyse, purchase, and display precious metals from the ancient world. In this course, we will examine not only the roles that silver played in late antique society, but also how it is discovered, its relationship to the art market, and how it is displayed in modern museum collections. One session is planned to be held in the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

By the end of the course, students will be able to answer the following questions:

• What types of silverware were important in Late Antiquity and what functions did they fulfil in society? (e.g. domestic silverware, church silver, diplomatic gifts etc.)
• What kinds of decoration do we find on silver? (e.g. mythological scenes, everyday life, Christian depictions)
• In what kinds of contexts is silverware preserved and how to we find it? What are some of the main silver hoards of Late Antiquity?
• How can we analyse silver using scientific methods?
• How is silver conserved and displayed in museum contexts?

Assessment and permitted materials

Students will be assessed on the basis of regular, active participation in class, the completion of small written tasks throughout the course, and an oral presentation. Missing up to two classes is permitted.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students must be assessed positively in each area of assessment (small written tasks, class participation, oral presentation). If more than two classes are missed, an additional piece of work may be required.

Examination topics

Clear, careful, and thoughtful analysis in the form of class discussion, small assignments, and an oral presentation. Oral presentations will be on individual topics assigned to the students. Students are expected to make a PowerPoint presentation to accompany their talk and a short handout.

Reading list

General Reading List (full readings will be provided on Moodle for each class)

Boyd, S. A. and Mango, M. M. (1992). Ecclesiastical Silver Plate in Sixth Century Byzantium. Washington DC.

Giannichedda, E. (2008). Metal Production in Late Antiquity: From Continuity of Knowledge to Changes in Consumption. In: L. Lavan, E. Zanini, and A. Sarantis eds., Technology in Transition A.D. 300-650. Leiden: Brill, pp.187-209.

Kent, J. and Painter, K. S. (1977). Wealth of the Roman World. Gold and Silver AD 300-700. London: British Museum Publications Limited.

Leader-Newby, R. E. (2004). Silver and Society in Late Antiquity. Functions and Meanings of Silver Plate in the Fourth to Seventh Centuries. London: Routledge.

Mango, M. M. and Bennet, A. (1994). The Sevso Treasure: Part I. Art Historical Description and Inscriptions, Methods of Manufacture and Scientific Analysis. JRA Supplementary Series.

Association in the course directory

Anrechenbar im MA für: Grabung, Denkmalpflege,...;
im MA: PM2, PM3;
im EC 507

Last modified: Tu 10.09.2024 12:05