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Pyx
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The image of Christ’s crucifixion dominates this enameled box. Personifications of the Christian church, the Jewish faith, and the Virgin and Saint John flank the cross. Two Old Testament scenes--Abel’s sacrifice of sheep and Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac--appear on either side. The box once served as a pyx, a container for the consecrated host, itself a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, enamels: 12th century; wood core: 19th century |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1170–1180 |
| Culture / Origin | Germany, Lower Saxony, Hildesheim?, Romanesque period, enamels: 12th century; wood core: 19th century |
| Medium | gilded copper, champlevé and cloisonné enamel, wood core (modern) |
| Dimensions | Overall: 5.4 x 21.3 x 9.3 cm (2 1/8 x 8 3/8 x 3 11/16 in.) |
| Department | Medieval Art |
| Type | Enamel |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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