Autels portatifs (Altaria portatilia) - Antimensia. Courte note

Abstract

The paper deals with the origins of the portable altar - the Byzantine antimension. Altaria portatilia were mentioned in literary sources since the seventh-eighth centuries. The sources also evidence their indispensable role related to liturgical rites, especially during military campaigns. The earliest known Byzantine antimension dates from the twelfth century. It is part of the Guelph Treasure, held by the Kunstgewerbemuseum in Berlin. Originally, portable altars were mainly made of wood but over time, textile fabrics prevailed over this hard material. Their iconographic decoration has from the beginnings been related to their liturgical function.