Gold-Gilded Glass Artifacts Produced with the Sandwich Gold-Glass Technique: Findings from Pisidia Antiochia

The glass artifacts decorated with gold leaf found in the Ancient City of Pisidia Antiochia, located in Yalvaç District, Isparta Province, constitute the subject of the present study. Within the scope of the study, 1 wall covering/panel made using the Sandwich Gold-Glass technique and glass tesserae made using this technique were evaluated. This study aims to reveal how these artifacts, which constitute one of the unique and special find groups, were used in architecture and particularly within a local context in Anatolia, by examining their forms, production techniques, areas of use, and comparisons with similar examples. First, the wall covering/panel was evaluated. First, the wall covering/panel was evaluated. This piece, made in the Sandwich Gold-Glass technique for now, is the only example found in the city. First, the form was defined and the production technique was discussed. Then, based on similar examples and the find context, an attempt was made to date it. The second group of glass tesserae features applied gold gilding decoration. To date, 1012 tesserae produced using this technique have been found at Antioch. All of them were unearthed in the church located on Aedilicus Hill. The church, known to have two phases, underwent its first phase during the reign of Emperor Justinian and was destroyed by an attack during the reign of Caliph Walid (713 AD). 9th century AD. In the middle of the century, in order to build the new church, the ruins of the old church were filled in and leveled out to create a flat surface. The gold-leaf tesserae found within this fill layer must have adorned the walls and ceiling of the church’s initial phase. For these gilded mosaic tiles, a date range of the 6th-7th century AD can be given. In addition to its contributions to regional archaeology In addition to its contributions to regional archaeology, the study also sheds light on glassworking in Anatolia from the perspectives of production and function.