Portable Altar

last quarter 12th century

Not on view

Returned to lender

This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.

The Twelve Apostles are depicted in ivory on the sides of this altar. Some of them are identifiable by the attribute they hold; Peter, for example, holds the keys to heaven. Christ is centered on one long side; Mary, flanked by Saint John the Baptist and Saint Christopher holding the Christ Child, is on the other. On the underside is an engraved image of the donor holding the altar in his hands.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Portable Altar
Date: last quarter 12th century
Culture: German (Hildesheim)
Medium: Marble, gilded silver, gilded copper alloy, gilded copper, émail brun, and walrus ivory; wood core
Dimensions: Overall: 5 1/2 x 11 13/16 x 7 5/16 in. (14 x 30 x 18.5 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Copper alloy
Credit Line: Dom-Museum Hildesheim (DS 24)
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters