The Cross of Theophanu ( German: ''Theophanu-Kreuz'') is one of four Ottonian processional crosses in the Essen Cathedral Treasury and is among the most significant pieces of goldwork from that period. It was donated by Theophanu, Abbess of Essen, who reigned from 1039 to 1058.

Description

The basic form is that of a Latin cross with a lump of Egyptian quartz mounted at its centre, 44.5 cm high and 30 cm wide with a cedar core, decorated on both faces and the edges. On the edges there is an inscription, originally worked in gilt silver, but now largely lost, which identifies Theophanu as the Stifter (donor). From the fragments a portion, at least, of the text can be reconstructed: ''EDITA REGALE GENERE NOBILIS ABBATISSA THEOPHANU HOC SIGNUM DEDIT'' "Born of a royal family, noble Abbess Theophanu donated this standard". The ends of the cross are formed by rectangular sections with rounded inner corners. At the centre on the front, there is a large, oval quartz crystal. Behind it there are two pieces of the true cross on red velvet, enclosed as

relic In religion, a relic is an object or article of religious significance from the past. It usually consists of the physical remains of a saint or the personal effects of the saint or venerated person preserved for purposes of veneration as a tangi ...

s. The crystal is located on a round plate decorated with pearls, jewels and

filigree Filigree (also less commonly spelled ''filagree'', and formerly written ''filigrann'' or ''filigrene'') is a form of intricate metalwork used in jewellery and other small forms of metalwork. In jewellery, it is usually of gold and silver, ma ...

work, which extends beyond the crossing and thereby enlarges the centre of the cross. Running along the edges of the cross are two bands made up of alternating enamel plates and gemstones (fastened with filigree). Between them there is a narrow central band of filigree work. At the ends of the cross there are two enamel plates decorated with gemstones, pearls and filigreework on either side of a gemstone. The eighteen enamel plates on the cross can be divided into three groups. The first group depicts stylised plants or animals whose natural models can only be found in the east (there are eight of these).Klaus Gereon Beuckers, ''Die Ezzonen und ihre Stiftungen. Eine Untersuchung zur Stiftungstätigkeit im 11. Jahrhundert.'' p. 91 n. 669. The six plates on the stem and branches of the cross have a plaited pattern. The four enamels in the third group feature an interplay of the cloisonne and champleve methods, forming a fisch scale pattern. The back of the cross is covered by a gilt-copper plate, engraved with a bust of Christ Pantocrator in the centre and symbols of the Four evangelists at the ends.Klaus Gereon Beuckers, ''Die Ezzonen und ihre Stiftungen. Eine Untersuchung zur Stiftungstätigkeit im 11. Jahrhundert.'' p. 91

History

According to the fragmentary inscription, Theophanu was the donor of the cross.Klaus Gereon Beuckers, ''Die Ezzonen und ihre Stiftungen. Eine Untersuchung zur Stiftungstätigkeit im 11. Jahrhundert.'' p. 94. It was probably intended to be a counterpart to the Senkschmelz cross donated by her predecessor Mathilde. An exact date for the donation of the cross is not possible, but it might be connected with the

consecration Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service. The word ''consecration'' literally means "association with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different grou ...

of the Minster's crypt in 1051 or the High altar in 1054. At least eight but possibly up to fourteen of the eighteen enamel tablets are of Byzantine origin; The four tablets of the third group have been shown to have been made in the Empire. The enamel work seems ultimately to have been derived from older pieces, which were made available for the creation of the cross from a treasure fund in the possession of the donor - in a similar way to the gems. The Byzantine components of the Theophanu cross are probably derived from the possessions inherited by the Ezzonids from the

Ottonian dynasty The Ottonian dynasty (german: Ottonen) was a Saxon dynasty of German monarchs (919–1024), named after three of its kings and Holy Roman Emperors named Otto, especially its first Emperor Otto I. It is also known as the Saxon dynasty after the ...

.Klaus Gereon Beuckers, ''Die Ezzonen und ihre Stiftungen. Eine Untersuchung zur Stiftungstätigkeit im 11. Jahrhundert.'' p. 91, 94.

Bibliography

Georg Humann Georg Humann (8 December 1847, in Essen-Rellinghausen, Rellinghausen (now a suburb of Essen) – 18 January 1932, in Aachen) was a German art historian. Life Humann belong to a long-established Essen family, his father was Steward (office), ste ...

. ''Die Kunstwerke der Münsterkirche zu Essen.'' Düsseldorf 1904. * . ''Die Ezzonen und ihre Stiftungen. Eine Untersuchung zur Stiftungstätigkeit im 11. Jahrhundert'' (= ''Kunstgeschichte.'' Bd. 42). Lit Verlag, Münster/ Hamburg 1993, (= Diss. Bonn 1993). * Alfred Pothmann. "Der Essener Kirchenschatz aus der Frühzeit der Stiftsgeschichte." In ''Herrschaft, Bildung und Gebet – Gründung und Anfänge des Frauenstifts Essen''. Klartext Verlag, Essen 2000, . * Klaus Gereon Beuckers, Ulrich Knapp. ''Farbiges Gold – Die ottonischen Kreuze in der Domschatzkammer Essen und ihre Emails.'' Domschatzkammer Essen 2006, .

Notes

{{Crux gemmata , state=expanded 11th-century sculptures Crux gemmata Ottonian sculptures Essen Minster

Description

History

See also

Bibliography

Notes