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Plaque with Christ Receiving Magdeburg Cathedral from Emperor Otto I

ca. 962–968
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304
One of the most famous ivory carvings to survive from the tenth century, this plaque depicts Christ enthroned against an open worked checkerboard background. He is blessing a model of a church presented to him by Emperor Otto the Great (r. 962–973) and a host of saints including Peter, who holds his attribute, the keys. The ivory was destined for Otto's imperial church dedicated to Saint Mauritius in Magdeburg (Saxony) which was raised to the seat of an archbishopric in 968. This plaque, and an accompanying series of New Testament and symbolic scenes, must have been made for the dedication of the church in that year. This ensemble may have been part of some liturgical furnishing such as a chancel door, a pulpit, or an altar frontal. Probably carved in Milan, an important imperial and artistic center, the engaging style of the ivories with their uncomplicated figures, geometric setting, and emphatic gestures seem to assimilate features of both the Carolingian artistic tradition and that of Byzantium.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Plaque with Christ Receiving Magdeburg Cathedral from Emperor Otto I
  • Date: ca. 962–968
  • Geography: Made in Milan (?)
  • Culture: Ottonian
  • Medium: Elephant ivory
  • Dimensions: Overall: 5 1/8 x 4 7/16 x 5/16in. (13 x 11.3 x 0.8cm)
  • Classification: Ivories-Elephant
  • Credit Line: Gift of George Blumenthal, 1941
  • Object Number: 41.100.157
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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Cover Image for 2775. Plaque with Christ Receiving Magdeburg Cathedral from Emperor Otto I

2775. Plaque with Christ Receiving Magdeburg Cathedral from Emperor Otto I

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The cathedral of Magdeburg—some eighty miles west of present-day Berlin—was dedicated in the year 968. The new cathedral was established as an important mission center by Emperor Otto the Great. Many of its magnificent furnishings came from North Italy, probably including this ivory.

On this superb panel, Otto presents a symbolic model of the Church to Christ for his blessing. As a humble servant he is depicted smaller than the company of patron saints. Saint Peter appears to the right, with both the heavenly and earthly keys to the Christian Church. The military Saint Mauritius, patron saint of the Ottonian Empire and of Magdeburg, is shown behind Otto, presenting him to Christ. Both the overall subject of the scene and the distinctive wreath form of Christ’s throne are a visual reference to the Biblical passage from Isaiah 66:1: “Heaven is my throne and the earth my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me?”

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