Images from World History:
Carolingian metalwork (8-10th c.)
1. Reliquary of Bishop Attheus, showing Saints Mary and John. Silver gilt on wood. Late 8th-century
Frankish. (Sion, Valais: Cath. Treas.) 7". The style is transitional, moving from a traditional Sub-Roman
linear figure style toward Carolingian naturalism.
2. Reliquary. Repoussé gilt bronze on wood. Frankish, 8th c. A.D. (Paris: Cluny) 3.75". Mary holding
Christ child flanked by Peter and Paul.
Statue of Charlemagne from Metz (10th c. A.D.). [Link here only for convenience, for this is not really
Carolingian art.]
3. Reliquary in the form of jewelry talisman. A block of crystal holds the relic, which is some of the Virgin's
hair with a piece of the True Cross. Ca. 800 A.D. An active commerce in relics had developed as an expression
of the new sense that people, aided by divine energy, could transform the material world in which they lived
rather than subsist simply as part of it.
4. Carolingian purse Religuary of Enger. (Berlin: Staat. Mus.). 6.25" Gold and embossed silver on oak, with
cloisonné, pearl, and gemstone inlays. Supposedly a jpgt of Charlemagne to Widukind of Corvei. At
the top are counterposed lions ultimately derived from West Asia. The body superimposes the cross, lozenze
and square design which symbolizes the cosmos.
5. So-called sword of Charlemagne. 9th c. A.D.
6. Bronze doors. The Wolfstür, Aachen Cathedral. These are the first
medieval doors in bronze.
7. Aachen Cathedral. Bronze door handle on the Wolfstür. 9th c.
8. Lead figurines of Carolingian warriers. Found in the Seine River. (Paris: Cluny)
9. Gold coin with head of Charlemagne.
2. Reliquary. Repoussé gilt bronze on wood. Frankish, 8th c. A.D. (Paris: Cluny) 3.75". Mary holding
Christ child flanked by Peter and Paul.
Statue of Charlemagne from Metz (10th c. A.D.). [Link here only for convenience, for this is not really
Carolingian art.]
3. Reliquary in the form of jewelry talisman. A block of crystal holds the relic, which is some of the Virgin's
hair with a piece of the True Cross. Ca. 800 A.D. An active commerce in relics had developed as an expression
of the new sense that people, aided by divine energy, could transform the material world in which they lived
rather than subsist simply as part of it.
4. Carolingian purse Religuary of Enger. (Berlin: Staat. Mus.). 6.25" Gold and embossed silver on oak, with
cloisonné, pearl, and gemstone inlays. Supposedly a jpgt of Charlemagne to Widukind of Corvei. At
the top are counterposed lions ultimately derived from West Asia. The body superimposes the cross, lozenze
and square design which symbolizes the cosmos.
5. So-called sword of Charlemagne. 9th c. A.D.
6. Bronze doors. The Wolfstür, Aachen Cathedral. These are the first
medieval doors in bronze.
7. Aachen Cathedral. Bronze door handle on the Wolfstür. 9th c.
8. Lead figurines of Carolingian warriers. Found in the Seine River. (Paris: Cluny)
9. Gold coin with head of Charlemagne.