Венецияның Сан-Марко базиликасының "Алтын панелі"

High altar retable in the Basilica di San Marco, Venice

Pala d'Oro (Italian, "Golden Panel") is the high altar retable of the Basilica di San Marco in Venice. It is universally recognized as one of the most refined and accomplished works of Byzantine enamel, with both front and rear sides decorated.

The Pala d'Oro was thought to be first commissioned in 976 by Doge Pietro Orseolo, where it was made up of precious stones and several enamels depicting various saints, and in 1105 it was expanded on by Doge Ordelafo Faliero. In 1345, the goldsmith Giovanni Paolo Bonesegna was commissioned to complete the altarpiece by Andrea Dandolo, who was the procurator at the time, and later became doge. Bonesegna added a Gothic style frame to the piece, along with more precious stones. Dandolo also included an inscription describing what his own additions were, along with those of his predecessors. Paolo Veneziano was commissioned to make wood panels to provide a cover (Pala Feriale) for when the altarpiece was not on display. Veneziano was commissioned between 1342 4 to make this cover, where it was dated 1345 and signed by him along with his sons, Luca and Giovanni. The cover is made from two pieces. The top plank features the Man of Sorrows in the center, who is surrounded by the Virgin and Sts. John, George, Mark, Peter, and Nicholas. It is made of gold and silver, 187 enamel plaques,

The bottom section contains the enamels that told the Life of St. Mark. These were created in 1105 in Constantinople, and were commissioned by Doge Ordelaffo Falier. They used to be positioned along the base, but have since been moved to their current position along the sides and the top row of this section. The depiction of Falier seems to be slightly off as his head is too small in proportion to his body. There is evidence that shows the original head was removed, and replaced with a new one. While there have been theories that the previous head depicted an emperor, that explanation doesn't quite fit. Emperors are usually depicted with red footwear, and this figure is wearing black footwear, with no signs of being altered. Additionally, the enamel bears Falier's name, which would have required a lot of effort to change, and would have left evidence behind. The most likely explanation is that the original head was in fact Falier's head, but without a halo. Later, church officials—possibly even Falier himself—decided to replace it to include a halo. The scepter he's holding restricted how much could be altered, which required the crafters to make the new image slightly smaller.

Romer, John (1997), Byzantium: The Lost Empire; ABTV/Ibis Films/The Learning Channel; 4 episodes; 209 minutes. (In Episode 3 ["Envy of the World"], presenter Romer examines the Pala d'Oro in detail.)