Garments of an Empress - the decoration

The decoration on the gown is done by couched gold embroidery, and beading with pearls and precious and semi-precious stones. Enamels could also be applied to such garments.

A full explanation of the regalia of the Empress and its pictorial and literary sources may be found in the author’s book, By the Emperor’s Hand: Court Regalia and Military Dress in the Eastern Roman Empire, Frontline Books, Barnsley 2015.

Embroidery and construction done by Laura Iseman to designs by Timothy Dawson.

Click on various parts of the outfit for more detailed pictures and explanations.