dirksachsenheimer
Medieval Crosses
Victoria & Albert Museum
Left:
Pectoral Cross
Probably about 1050, England, walrus ivory
The delicately carved archer on the lid of this cross probably represents a figure from the Old Testament: Ishmael, son of Abraham. The reverse shows the Lamb of God surrounded by the four symbols of the evangelists. The cross originally formed a case for a gold box, perhaps containing relics of the True Cross.
Middle:
Reliquary Cross
About 1000 (back and sides 900 -1000), Figure England, Cross Germany, Gold plaques on a cedar base, walrus ivory for the figure of Christ
A badly damaged inscription around the edge appears to list the relics once contained in the cavity beneath the figure of Christ. The wooden core is made of cedar. linking it to the True Cross, which was made of this material. The reliquary now contains part of a human finger.
Right:
Pendant Cross (The Beresford Hope Cross)
800 - 900, Probably Italy, Cloisonné enamel mounted in gold; the frame gilded silver
This cross was probably made to house a relic of the True Cross. It would have been worn around the neck. On the front, Christ appears between the Virgin and St John. On the back, the Virgin raises her hands in prayer surrounded by saints John, Peter, Andrew and Paul.
Medieval Crosses
Victoria & Albert Museum
Left:
Pectoral Cross
Probably about 1050, England, walrus ivory
The delicately carved archer on the lid of this cross probably represents a figure from the Old Testament: Ishmael, son of Abraham. The reverse shows the Lamb of God surrounded by the four symbols of the evangelists. The cross originally formed a case for a gold box, perhaps containing relics of the True Cross.
Middle:
Reliquary Cross
About 1000 (back and sides 900 -1000), Figure England, Cross Germany, Gold plaques on a cedar base, walrus ivory for the figure of Christ
A badly damaged inscription around the edge appears to list the relics once contained in the cavity beneath the figure of Christ. The wooden core is made of cedar. linking it to the True Cross, which was made of this material. The reliquary now contains part of a human finger.
Right:
Pendant Cross (The Beresford Hope Cross)
800 - 900, Probably Italy, Cloisonné enamel mounted in gold; the frame gilded silver
This cross was probably made to house a relic of the True Cross. It would have been worn around the neck. On the front, Christ appears between the Virgin and St John. On the back, the Virgin raises her hands in prayer surrounded by saints John, Peter, Andrew and Paul.