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Portable Altar

German (Hildesheim)

last quarter 12th century

Not on view

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.

Portable Altar, Marble, gilded silver, gilded copper alloy, gilded copper, émail brun, and walrus ivory; wood core, German (Hildesheim) — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

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)

The Met

Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.