Epitaph of Gllavenica
| Epitaph of Gllavenica | |
|---|---|
| Epitafi i Gllavenicës | |
The Epitaph of Gllavenica (1373), on display in Tirana | |
| Type | Liturgical textile (Epitaphios) |
| Material | Silk, linen, silver-gilt thread (gold-washed silver), natural dyes |
| Size | 212 × 114 cm (cloth); Christ figure: 126 × 23 cm |
| Writing | Byzantine Greek |
| Created | March 22, 1373, in Gllavenica (modern Ballsh) - commissioned by Bishop Kalist and Gjergj Arianiti; embroidered by Monk Savia |
| Discovered | Ruins of a house near Ballsh, Albania |
| Discovered by | Unknown; first studied by Theofan Popa |
| Present location | National Historical Museum of Albania, Tirana |
| Classification | Embroidered liturgical textile |
| Identification | No. 1539 |
| Culture | Medieval Albanian Orthodox |
| https://www.mhk.gov.al/en/en/gallery-2/ | |
The Epitaph of Gllavenica (Albanian: Epitafi I Gllavenicës) is a medieval embroidered liturgical cloth, created on March 22, 1373, in the town of Gllavenica (modern Ballsh, Albania). It is a rare and valuable example of Albanian Orthodox religious art from the late Byzantine period. The epitaph depicts Christ lying on a burial shroud, surrounded by mourning figures and biblical prophets, embroidered in silk with silver-gilt threads and vibrant natural dyes. Commissioned by Bishop Kalist and the Albanian noble Gjergj Arianiti, and embroidered by Monk Savia, the epitaph is a prime example of medieval Albanian religious art. It was rediscovered near Ballsh and is now preserved in the National History Museum in Tirana.