Ways to discover the collection

Goldsmith’s art

For millenia, gold has been treasured as an especially precious metal. Through its lustre, it is possible to achieve unique effects in art. Gold was furthermore legitimised as a material for Christian cult objects through symbolic interpretation: the Heavenly Jerusalem was supposedly surrounded by golden walls studded with gemstones. In medieval Cologne, treasury art of the highest artistic quality was produced by applying casting, repoussé, engraving and chasing techniques and colourfully combining the precious metal with other metals, gemstones and enamel.

So-called Cross of St. Modoaldus, reverse side of an altar cross, workshop of Roger von Helmarshausen, c. 1107, copperplate with remnants of gilding, 42 x 33.5 cm, Inv. No. G 579, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

So-called Cross of St. Modoaldus, reverse side of an altar cross
Workshop of Roger von Helmarshausen, c. 1107

Christ with the Winnowing Fan, Cologne, 1150-1160, gilt copper, 16.4 x 14.5 cm, inv. no. G 578, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Christ with the Winnowing Fan
Cologne, 1150-60

Cover of a Carolingian Book of Gospels, Cologne, c. 1170-1180, (manuscript from St-Amand, c. 860-880), gilt silver with enamel and studded with gemstones, 28 x 20 cm, inv. G 531, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Binding of a Carolingian Book of Gospels
Cologne, c. 1170-80

Golden Panel from St. Ursula, Cologne, c. 1170-1180, painting: late 14th/early 15th cent. and 19th cent., oak, cahmplevé enamel, gilt-stucco plaques, gilded sheet metal, 114 x 218 cm, inv. G 564, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Golden Panel from St. Ursula
Cologne, c. 1170-80

Small Reliquary Box with the Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, Limoges, 1195-1200, enamel, 20.2 x 17.9 x 8.2 cm, Inv. No. G 535, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Small Reliquary Box with the Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket
Limoges, 1195-1200

Rock Crystal Reliquiary, Cologne, c. 1200, rock crystal, gilt copper studded with gemstones, 16 x 17.5 cm, inv. no. G 17, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Reliquary on Lion’s Feet
Cologne, c. 1200

Crook of a Bishop’s or Abbot's Crosier, Limoges, c. 1125-1235, gilt copper with enamel, h. 21 cm, inv. G 524, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Crook of a Bishop’s or Abbot's Crosier
Limoges, c. 1225-35

Reliquary Pendant, Cologne, 2nd half of 13th cent., rock crystal, gilt silver studded with glass, 8 x 3.3 x 1.7 cm, inv. G 392, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Reliquary Pendant
Cologne, 2nd half of 13th cent.

Sword from St. Georg in Cologne with Matching Scabbard, Cologne, 1st half 14th cent., blade: Italy, 14th cent. (?), steel blade, gilt silver with silver enamel, leather, wood, 105 x 17.5 x 2.4 cm (scabbard 85.5 x 8 x 1.8 cm), inv. G 494 a, b, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Sword of St. George
Cologne and Italy, 1st half 14th cent.

Monstrance, Cologne, c. 1425-1450, gilt copper with glass cylinder, h. 72 cm, inv. G 563, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Monstrance
Cologne, c. 1425-50

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