About the BRF Collection
The Byzantine Research Fund Archive (BRF) is a unique collection of architectural drawings, photographs and notebooks created from the late 19th century to the middle of the 20th century by a small team of British architects trained in the Arts & Crafts tradition whose studies of Byzantium shaped the Byzantine Revival in later years.
The collection contains over 1,500 drawings and 1,000 photographs, numerous notebooks and the corporate records associated with the Byzantine Research and Publication Fund, the original body created in 1907 to support this work. Although the Fund was associated with the BSA from the time it was founded, it was not until 1937 that the BSA formerly took over the property and operation of it. The BRF Archive contains records of Byzantine monuments in Greece, Turkey, Italy, the Near East, Egypt, and Cyprus. In some cases, the collection contains the only record of a monument before its destruction in modern times, the most important example being the church of Hagios Demetrios in Thessalonike which was almost completely destroyed in the Great Fire of 1917 shortly after being recorded by one of the BRF architects, Walter Sykes George. It also contains personal records of the following architects; Robert Weir Schultz, Sidney Howard Barnsley, Walter Sykes George, William Harvey, Harold Swainson, Peter Gus Corbett, and A.H.S (Peter) Megaw. The aspirations of the BRF Archive Project today are to make these materials accessible to a wide range of researchers.
Distant view. The photograph is annotated in pencil at the back.
Distant view. The photograph is annotated in pencil at the back.
Distant view. The photograph is annotated in pencil at the back.
General view of the modern square.
General view of the east end. The photograph is annotated in pencil at the back: 'Polygonal Tower and West End of Castle Patras'.
The polygonal tower. The photograph is annotated in pencil at the back: 'The Polygonal Tower at the S.W angle of the Castle Patras'.
Niche on face of polygonal tower. Further annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
The polygonal tower (interior view). Further annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
West view. The photograph is annotated in pencil at the back.
Detail of carved doorway. The marble carved doorways are among the key features of Amorgos Byzantine monuments. The photograph is annotated in pencil at the back.
West view. The photograph is annotated in pencil at the back.
East façade (detail of the marble frieze that surrounds the main apse-south part). Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
East façade (detail of the main apse with view of the roof). Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
East façade (detail of the marble frieze that surrounds the main apse-central part). Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
East façade (central apse). Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
East façade, south part (detail of the marble frieze). Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
East façade, north part (detail of the marble frieze). Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
South façade, west end (detail of the marble frieze). Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
East façade, south part (detail of the marble frieze). Furher annotation in pencil survives on the back of the photograph.
Central inner door leading from the narthex to the nave. Furher annotation in pencil survives on the back of the photograph.
Photograph of drawing showing the north elevation This photograph shows a different version of drawing no 01/07/04/01/02N which is not included in the collection. Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
Photograph of drawing showing the transverse (left) and longitudinal section (right). This photograph shows a different version of drawing no 01/07/03/21/02 which is not included in the collection. Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
Photograph of drawing showing the ground plan. This photograph shows a different version of drawing no 01/07/03/21/01 which is not included in the collection. Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
Photograph of drawing showing the south elevation. This photograph shows a different version of drawing no 01/07/04/01/02S which is not included in the collection. Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
Photograph of drawing showing the east elevation. This photograph shows a different version of drawing no 01/07/04/01/01E which is not included in the collection. Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
Photograph of drawing showing the west elevation. This photograph shows a different version of drawing no 01/07/04/01/01W which is not included in the collection. Furher annotation in pencil survives at the back of the photograph.
Prophet Isaiah (katholikon, nave, dome). Further annotation survives at the back of the photograph.
Prophet Elisha (katholikon, nave, dome). Further annotation survives at the back of the photograph.
Prophet Elisha (katholikon, nave, dome). Further annotation survives at the back of the photograph.
Prophet Jonah (katholikon, nave, dome). Further annotation survives at the back of the photograph.
Prophet Jeremiah (katholikon, nave, dome). Further annotation survives at the back of the photograph.
Prophet Jeremaih (katholikon, nave, dome). Further annotation survives at the back of the photograph.
Prophet Micah (katholikon, nave, dome). Further annotation survives at the back of the photograph.
The ambo (fragment, the Magi and the Shepherds). The photograph is stamped at the back:'Copyright R.W.S.Weir & The Byzantine Research & Publication Fund'. Further annotation in pencil survives.