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Base of an Altar Cross with Reading Angels Sitting on Dragons and Standing Church Fathers

ca. 1125–50
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304
The names of Saints Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory are inscribed on the books held by the angels. The absence of Saint Ambrose from the group (the heads are missing) indicates that the standard form of identifying the Church Fathers had not yet been established.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Base of an Altar Cross with Reading Angels Sitting on Dragons and Standing Church Fathers
  • Date: ca. 1125–50
  • Culture: North Italian
  • Medium: Copper alloy, cast and gilt
  • Dimensions: Overall: 4 x 5 1/8 x 5 1/8 in. (10.2 x 13 x 13 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Copper alloy
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1919
  • Object Number: 19.106
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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