Ceremonial Cross of Countess Gertrude, Lower Saxony, c.1038, Reliquary Bag, 1200s and Ceremonial Cross of...

1931.55: Ceremonial Cross of Countess Gertrude: Germany, Lower Saxony?, 11th century (gold worked in repoussé, cloisonné enamel, intaglio gems, pearls, wood core). This precious gold cross was commissioned by Countess Gertrude (died 1077) and given to the church of Saint Blaise following the death of her husband, Count Liudolf of Brunswick (died 1038). The cross was intended to be carried in liturgical processions or to be placed on a church altar. The inclusion of relics within the crosses endowed them with an additional role as devotional objects. At the center of the four cross arms, fine but much damaged cloisonné enamel plaques represent the symbols of the four Evangelists--an eagle for Saint John (above); a lion for Saint Mark (on the left); an ox for Saint Luke (on the right); and an angel for Saint Matthew (below). Pearls and precious and semiprecious stones are set within an intricate network of gold filigree while a large sapphire, inscribed in a circle and likewise surrounded by pearls and precious stones, is placed at the crossing.  1931.462: Reliquary Bag: Spain, Mudejar, Romanesque period, 13th century (lozenge twill, two sided, weft-faced, silk). 1931.461: Ceremonial Cross of Count Liudolf: Germany, Lower Saxony?, Romanesque period, 11th century (gold worked in repoussé, cloisonné enamel; intaglio gems; pearls, wood core). (front) This precious gold cross was commissioned by Countess Gertrude (died 1077) and given to the church of Saint Blaise following the death of her husband, Count Liudolf of Brunswick (died 1038). The cross is decorated with a large oval-shaped chalcedony at its center and with slightly smaller rock crystals at its terminal ends. Fine but fragmentary cloisonné enamel plaques with pairs of confronting peacocks, symbols of immortality, appear at the center of each cross arms. They are set within an intricate system of filigree wire decoration imitating tendrils. Numerous pearls, three large intaglio gems, and various precious and semiprecious stones complete the decoration of the cross. Concealed behind the enamel plaque on the upper cross arm are relics of Saints Valerius and Pancratius as well as a fragment from the stone that sealed the Sepulcher of the Lord. (back) This precious gold cross was commissioned by Countess Gertrude (died 1077) and given to the church of St. Blaise following the death of her husband, Count Liudolf of Brunswick (died 1038). The back of this cross is much worn, making it difficult to recognize the main features of its repoussé decoration. Faintly visible at the center is the Lamb of God, a symbol of Christ, with a cross-shaped halo. Depicted at the end of the cross arms are the symbols of the four Evangelists. A Latin inscription above the Lamb of God identifies the relics concealed behind it, namely "relics of the saintly bishop Valerius, of Pancratius martyr, [and] of the stone that was placed above the tomb of the Lord." A second inscription below states, "This [work] was commissioned by Gertrude for the soul of Count Liudolf," revealing the identity of the cross's patron and the approximate date of its commission.