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Wieland the smith & Adoration of the three Magi [8th cent CE]
London BM - Franks or Auzon Casket 12h [8th cent CE] - Wieland der Schmied & Anbetung der heiligen drei Könige
Wayland (also spelled Weyland or Welund) stands at the extreme left in the forge where he is held as a slave by King Niðhad, who has had his hamstrings cut to hobble him. Below the forge is the headless body of Niðhad's son, whom Wayland has killed, making a goblet from his skull; his head is probably the object held in the tongs in Wayland's hand. With his other hand Wayland offers the goblet, containing drugged beer, to Bodvild, Niðhad's daughter, whom he then rapes when she is unconscious. Another female figure is shown in the centre; perhaps Wayland's helper, or Bodvild again. To the right of the scene Wayland (or his brother) catches birds; he then makes wings from their feathers, with which he is able to escape.[13]
In a sharp contrast, the right-hand scene shows one of the commonest Christian subjects depicted in the art of the period; however here "the birth of a hero also makes good sin and suffering".[14] The Three Magi, identified by an inscription ("magi"), led by the large star, approach the enthroned Madonna and Child bearing the traditional gifts. A goose-like bird by the feet of the leading magus may represent the Holy Spirit, usually shown as a dove, or an angel. The human figures, at least, form a composition very comparable to those in other depictions of the period.
www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_object...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks_Casket
www.franks-casket.de/english/lid00.html
www.academia.edu/1464493/The_Bowman_who_takes_off_the_Lid...
Wieland the smith & Adoration of the three Magi [8th cent CE]
London BM - Franks or Auzon Casket 12h [8th cent CE] - Wieland der Schmied & Anbetung der heiligen drei Könige
Wayland (also spelled Weyland or Welund) stands at the extreme left in the forge where he is held as a slave by King Niðhad, who has had his hamstrings cut to hobble him. Below the forge is the headless body of Niðhad's son, whom Wayland has killed, making a goblet from his skull; his head is probably the object held in the tongs in Wayland's hand. With his other hand Wayland offers the goblet, containing drugged beer, to Bodvild, Niðhad's daughter, whom he then rapes when she is unconscious. Another female figure is shown in the centre; perhaps Wayland's helper, or Bodvild again. To the right of the scene Wayland (or his brother) catches birds; he then makes wings from their feathers, with which he is able to escape.[13]
In a sharp contrast, the right-hand scene shows one of the commonest Christian subjects depicted in the art of the period; however here "the birth of a hero also makes good sin and suffering".[14] The Three Magi, identified by an inscription ("magi"), led by the large star, approach the enthroned Madonna and Child bearing the traditional gifts. A goose-like bird by the feet of the leading magus may represent the Holy Spirit, usually shown as a dove, or an angel. The human figures, at least, form a composition very comparable to those in other depictions of the period.
www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_object...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks_Casket
www.franks-casket.de/english/lid00.html
www.academia.edu/1464493/The_Bowman_who_takes_off_the_Lid...