Cross Base
1160-1180 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
During the period 90-1200, ivories were produced all over Europe, often in monasteries and ecclesiastical or royal courts. The pieces in this drawer were used for liturgical purposes. Ivory carvings appeared on book covers, reliquary caskets, antependia (the panel in front of an altar) and religious icons. This pyramid-shaped carving, made in about 1160-80 in Germany (probably Cologne), decorated with four grotesque animals, served as a base for a crucifix, which would have been fitted into the slot on the top.
Originally this base had four feet of bone or walrus ivory. The base also may have had a copper-alloy plate on the underside. This plate would probably have held in place the tapering rectangular-sectioned tang of the cross, which completely pierced the base through the centre. The iconography of the base - dragons or serpents biting themselves - is found on a number of Romanesque metal cross feet.
Originally this base had four feet of bone or walrus ivory. The base also may have had a copper-alloy plate on the underside. This plate would probably have held in place the tapering rectangular-sectioned tang of the cross, which completely pierced the base through the centre. The iconography of the base - dragons or serpents biting themselves - is found on a number of Romanesque metal cross feet.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved walrus ivory |
| Brief description | Cross base, walrus ivory, depicting dragons biting themselves, Germany (probably Cologne), 1160-80 |
| Physical description | Ivory base (possibly for a cross or flabelluem?). The base is in the form of a truncated pyramid, carved in relief with four grotesque animals (dragons) in sunk panels, separated by beaded lines, and with a border of quatrefoils round the base. The two dragons on the sides turn to bite themselves, that on the front bites its tail, while the beast at the back scratches its neck with its left front paw. Originally the base had four feet of bone or walrus ivory. The feet were set at a sloping angle deep into the base, each held by two long pins. On of these pins survives. The base also may have had a copper-alloy plate on the underside, as this is scored with cross-hatched lines. This plate would probably have held in place the tapering rectangular-sectioned tang of the cross, which completely pierced the base through the centre. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | From the collection of the Bishop of Hildesheim, bought in 1873. Originally the base had four feet of bone or walrus ivory. The base also may have had a copper-alloy plate on the underside, as this is scored with cross-hatched lines. This plate would probably have held in place the tapering rectangular-sectioned tang of the cross, which completely pierced the base through the centre. Historical significance: The iconography of the base - dragons or serpents biting themsleves - is found on a number of Romanesque metal cross feet. |
| Historical context | The base probably supported a walrus ivory crucifix of similar type and dimension to the so-called 'Croix de Sibylle' of about 1160 in teh Musée du Louvre. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | During the period 90-1200, ivories were produced all over Europe, often in monasteries and ecclesiastical or royal courts. The pieces in this drawer were used for liturgical purposes. Ivory carvings appeared on book covers, reliquary caskets, antependia (the panel in front of an altar) and religious icons. This pyramid-shaped carving, made in about 1160-80 in Germany (probably Cologne), decorated with four grotesque animals, served as a base for a crucifix, which would have been fitted into the slot on the top. Originally this base had four feet of bone or walrus ivory. The base also may have had a copper-alloy plate on the underside. This plate would probably have held in place the tapering rectangular-sectioned tang of the cross, which completely pierced the base through the centre. The iconography of the base - dragons or serpents biting themselves - is found on a number of Romanesque metal cross feet. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 12-1873 |
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| Record created | January 5, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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