ticketsMember | Make a donation

Base of an Altar Cross with the Four Evangelists and Their Symbols

ca. 1160
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304
The base for the cross is decorated with images of the four evangelists, shown as they write the Gospels. Their symbols—angel, lion, ox, and eagle—appear to the right of each. Such crosses were common on altars in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and elaborate examples became a specialty of goldsmiths working in the area of the Meuse Valley.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Base of an Altar Cross with the Four Evangelists and Their Symbols
  • Date: ca. 1160
  • Geography: Made in Meuse Valley, Netherlands
  • Culture: South Netherlandish
  • Medium: Champlevé enamel, copper-gilt
  • Dimensions: Overall: 2 5/8 x 5 7/8 in. (6.7 x 14.9 cm)
  • Classification: Enamels-Champlevé
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.341a
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Plaque with the Baptism of Jesus, Champlevé enamel, copper alloy, gilt, South Netherlandish
Plaque with the Baptism of Jesus
South Netherlandish
ca. 1150–75
Chasse of Champagnat, Copper: engraved and gilt; champlevé enamel: blue-black, medium blue, turquoise, green, red, and white, French
Chasse of Champagnat
French
ca. 1150
Tabernacle of Cherves, Copper (plaques): engraved, scraped, stippled, and gilt; (appliqués): repoussé, chased, engraved, scraped, and gilt; champlevé enamel: medium blue, turquoise, medium green, yellow, red, and white, modern wood mount, French
Tabernacle of Cherves
French
ca. 1220–1230
Plaque with the Holy Women at the Sepulchre, Champlevé enamel, copper alloy, gilt, South Netherlandish
Plaque with the Holy Women at the Sepulchre
South Netherlandish
ca. 1150–75
Plaque with the Nativity, Champlevé enamel, copper alloy, gilt, South Netherlandish
Plaque with the Nativity
South Netherlandish
ca. 1165

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.