Cross
900-1100 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This metal cross is engraved with the Virgin Mary and St John on the front and the symbols of the Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) on the back.
The core belief of Christianity is human salvation through Christ’s death on the cross and his Resurrection. The cross therefore has long been the central symbol of Christianity and a focus of veneration.
According to the Gospels, Christ was stripped of his clothes to be crucified, but medieval artists seldom showed him naked. In this depiction, as was common in the early Middle Ages, Christ wears a tunic to symbolise his kingship and triumph over death. The head on which his feet rest may represent the skull of Golgotha (‘the place of the skull’), by tradition the site of both the Crucifixion and Adam’s burial.
The core belief of Christianity is human salvation through Christ’s death on the cross and his Resurrection. The cross therefore has long been the central symbol of Christianity and a focus of veneration.
According to the Gospels, Christ was stripped of his clothes to be crucified, but medieval artists seldom showed him naked. In this depiction, as was common in the early Middle Ages, Christ wears a tunic to symbolise his kingship and triumph over death. The head on which his feet rest may represent the skull of Golgotha (‘the place of the skull’), by tradition the site of both the Crucifixion and Adam’s burial.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gilt bronxe |
| Brief description | Gilt bronze cross, South Italy, 10th or 11th centuries. |
| Physical description | Processional cross with a gilt bronze crucifix, the limbs engraved on the front and back with angels and saints, the Agnus Dei and the symbols of the evangelists. |
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| Gallery label |
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| Historical context | IMAGES OF THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST Man's salvation through Christ's death on the cross and resurrection is the core belief of Christianity. From the earliest times the cross became the archetypal symbol of the religion. The figures of Christ in this display would all originally have been fitted to metal crosses and used for veneration on the altar or carried in procession. The crosses themselves have been lost or melted down but the figures have been preserved, probably for their artistic and spiritual value. Throughout the Middle Ages the image of Christ underwent a remarkable evolution, reflecting the gradually changing theology of Christ. The Gospels tell of him being stripped of his clothes to be crucified, but artists never depicted him naked. Early examples project an image in full length tunic or long skirt, eyes open, wearing a royal crown and epitomising the concept of his kingship and triumph over death. From about 1200 western artists focused on Christ's human suffering and depicted him in death, or dying, broken and tormented. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This metal cross is engraved with the Virgin Mary and St John on the front and the symbols of the Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) on the back. The core belief of Christianity is human salvation through Christ’s death on the cross and his Resurrection. The cross therefore has long been the central symbol of Christianity and a focus of veneration. According to the Gospels, Christ was stripped of his clothes to be crucified, but medieval artists seldom showed him naked. In this depiction, as was common in the early Middle Ages, Christ wears a tunic to symbolise his kingship and triumph over death. The head on which his feet rest may represent the skull of Golgotha (‘the place of the skull’), by tradition the site of both the Crucifixion and Adam’s burial. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 95-1882 |
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| Record created | February 18, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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