champlevé ware
Impressive Byzantine ceramics. Their decoration (oftenly figurative themes) was executed with the removal of portions of the slip so as whole areas of the fabric could be seen below the glaze. The light-coloured figures were set against a darker background. This decorative technique is introduced to Byzantine pottery in the 12th c. and by the first decades of the 13th c. is already established.

Glazed Pottery
Glaze: vitreous material applied to vessel or tile prior to firing in a kiln, in order to give a glossy surface after firing.

protospatharios
The first spatharios. A higher byzantine official of the imperial hierarchy which usually permitted participation in the senate. It was awarded even to eunuchs. After the 11th century, it gradually lost its importance. It was also an honorary title.

sgraffito
(pottery) Decoration technique which uses thin lines scratched through the slip into the surface of the vessel. Ware with such decoration is usually glazed.