Art, especially religious imagery and iconography, was a crucial element of Byzantine society, and the importance of imagery and craftsmanship is reflected in the details and intricacies present on even the most ordinary of objects. This gallery contains some of these more common, every-day objects, which would likely have resided in homes or private residences. These objects were meant to be both used and admired, and were themselves works of art. The items gathered here are intended to represent a glimpse into the daily life of an ordinary Byzantine citizen, and the emphasis they placed on beauty.

Included in this group of objects are two glass jars, a ceramic bowl, a vessel shaped like a bird, a floor mosaic, and a letter written on papyrus. Though intricately and carefully crafted, these objects were not intended to be simply decorative; they were instead functional, and each would have served a distinct purpose in the Byzantine household. Even the floor mosaic, ostensibly a decorative work of art, offers some insight into the values prioritized by every-day citizens in the Byzantine Empire.

—Miranda Aebersold-Burke