Medieval Treasures

When I went to the Cleveland Museum of Art last Wednesday, there was another small, special exhibition.  On display were several precious objects dating from the 11th through the 16th centuries on loan from the Cathedral of St. Paul in Munster, Germany.

The oldest object is this gold "head reliquary" which dates from around 1050.  It supposedly contains fragments of the skull of St. Paul.  The gemstones and gilt silver filigree were added in the 13th century.

The second oldest object is this reliquary cross which which is from about 1100.  It supposedly contains pieces of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.  It is decorated with 14 gemstones and 50 pearls.  It was not uncommon in the Middle Ages to incorporate precious objects from  earlier non-Christian cultures.  One of the gems is an engraved, ancient Roman stone, and the rock crystal base comes from 9th or 10th century Egypt. 

This image of the Virgin and Child dates from around 1400.  The ivory was imported from Africa, and the canopy is of silver.

This object from around 1380 was originally a secular piece.  It was a costly drinking cup probably owned by a nobleman or high-ranking clergyman.  It is made of silver and has an ivory carving of nine historical and legendary heroes such as King David, Alexander the Great and King Arthur.  It was later given to the Church and was used as a reliquary. 

This gilded silver statuette of St. Agnes contains relics of the saint.  It dates from around 1520.

This gilded silver bust from around 1380 depicts Philo of Alexandria, a Jewish philosopher whose writing were highly respected by Christian theologians.  At the center of his chest is a piece of rock crystal which serves as a window to view supposed relics of Saints Walpurga and Vincent.

Another partially gilded silver bust from the same era depicts the Old Testament prophet Hosea.  It is one of fourteen busts which decorated the Cathedral's high altar until 1534 when it was destroyed during a rebellion by the Anabaptists, a radical Protestant group.  The busts survived the rebellion, and once again adorn the altar in Munster's Cathedral.