It is believed that the cross was created around 1150. A Latin inscription reads "Liutgerus who carved me at the behest of Helena, who is also called Gunnhildr". Based on research by Harald Langberg, it is believed that King Svend refers to Svend III Grathe, (died 1157) and not as previously believed Sweyn II Estridsen.[3] The artist Luitger is not known from other works.[4]
The cross is first mentioned in 1650 and had at that time supposedly belonged to Holger Rosenkrantz [da]' wife Sophie Axelsdatter Brahe [da]. In 1684, it was acquired by the Royal Cabinet of Curiosities (Kunstkammer). In 1945, it was transferred to the National Museum of Denmark.[5]
Descriptionedit
Detail
The cross is carved in two blocks of walrus tusk and measures 29 cm × 22 cm (11.4 in × 8.7 in). It was originally painted in red, blue and golden colours.[3]
The central Christ figure on the front side is missing. The four cross arms are decorated with carved medallions of female figures, symbolizing "Life" (top), "Death" (bottom), the "victorious church" (left) and the "defeated synagogue" (right). The rear side of the cross is also decorated with carvings. In the centre is a Last Judgement representation of Christ in Majesty. The four medallions depict scenes from Heaven (top) and Hell (bottom) as well as the saved (left) and damned souls (right).[4]
The Latin inscriptions are written carved in relatively wide capital letters with an abundant use of ligatures and abbreviations. The name Gunhild is also written in runes on the edge of the bottom medallion. The Latin inscription reads:
English translation Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews. Life, Death, the Holy Church, the Synagogue. Regard my hands and my feet says the Lord. Come here, into my Father's blessing, go away from me, you accursed, to (eternal) fire. Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip his finger in water and cool (my tongue). Son, remember that you received good things in your life. Gunnhildr. He who sees me shall pray to Christ for Helena, daughter of King Suenono Magnus, who has had me made in remembrance of the Lord's suffering. Those who believe in the crucified Christ, shall in their prayers remember Liutgerus who carved me at the behest of Helena, who is also called Gunnhildr.
In Latin Side A Iesus Nazarenus rex judeorum vita mors ecclesia sancta synagoga Side B Videte [m]anus meas et pedes meos dicit Dominus venite benedicti patris mei dicedite a me maledicti in ignem pater Habraham miserere mei et mitte Lazarum ut [in]tinguat extremum digiti sui in aquam ut refrig fili recordare quia recepisti bona in vita tua Side C Gunhild qui me cernit pro Helena magni Sueonis regis filia Christum oret que me ad memoriam Dominice passionis parari fecerat Side D Qui in Christum crucifixum credunt Liutgeri memo[ri]am orando faciant qui me sculpserat roga tu Helene que et Gunhild vocat[ur].
^"Gunhildkorset | lex.dk". Den Store Danske (in Danish). Retrieved 2023-01-17.
^Barrow, R. (2021). Gunhild's Cross and the North Atlantic Trade Sphere. The Medieval Globe, 7(1), 53-75.
^ ab"Titel: Gunhild-korset" (in Danish). National Museum of Denmark. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
^ ab"Gunhild-korset, udskåret af hvalrostand omkring 1150" (in Danish). National Museum of Denmark. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
^"Gunhildkorset" (in Danish). National Museum of Denmark. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gunhild Cross.
April 11, 2024
gunhild, cross, danish, gunhildkorset, named, first, owner, gunhild, daughter, svend, denmark, 12th, century, crucifix, carved, walrus, tusk, with, both, latin, runic, inscriptions, collection, national, museum, denmark, materialivorycreated12th, centurypresen. The Gunhild Cross Danish Gunhildkorset named for its first owner Gunhild a daughter of Svend III of Denmark is a mid 12th century crucifix carved in walrus tusk and with both Latin and Runic inscriptions It is now in the collection of the National Museum of Denmark 1 2 Gunhild CrossMaterialIvoryCreated12th centuryPresent locationNational Museum of Denmark Copenhagen Contents 1 History 2 Description 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory editIt is believed that the cross was created around 1150 A Latin inscription reads Liutgerus who carved me at the behest of Helena who is also called Gunnhildr Based on research by Harald Langberg it is believed that King Svend refers to Svend III Grathe died 1157 and not as previously believed Sweyn II Estridsen 3 The artist Luitger is not known from other works 4 The cross is first mentioned in 1650 and had at that time supposedly belonged to Holger Rosenkrantz da wife Sophie Axelsdatter Brahe da In 1684 it was acquired by the Royal Cabinet of Curiosities Kunstkammer In 1945 it was transferred to the National Museum of Denmark 5 Description edit nbsp DetailThe cross is carved in two blocks of walrus tusk and measures 29 cm 22 cm 11 4 in 8 7 in It was originally painted in red blue and golden colours 3 The central Christ figure on the front side is missing The four cross arms are decorated with carved medallions of female figures symbolizing Life top Death bottom the victorious church left and the defeated synagogue right The rear side of the cross is also decorated with carvings In the centre is a Last Judgement representation of Christ in Majesty The four medallions depict scenes from Heaven top and Hell bottom as well as the saved left and damned souls right 4 The Latin inscriptions are written carved in relatively wide capital letters with an abundant use of ligatures and abbreviations The name Gunhild is also written in runes on the edge of the bottom medallion The Latin inscription reads English translationJesus of Nazareth king of the Jews Life Death the Holy Church the Synagogue Regard my hands and my feet says the Lord Come here into my Father s blessing go away from me you accursed to eternal fire Father Abraham take pity on me and send Lazarus that he may dip his finger in water and cool my tongue Son remember that you received good things in your life Gunnhildr He who sees me shall pray to Christ for Helena daughter of King Suenono Magnus who has had me made in remembrance of the Lord s suffering Those who believe in the crucified Christ shall in their prayers remember Liutgerus who carved me at the behest of Helena who is also called Gunnhildr In LatinSide A Iesus Nazarenus rex judeorum vita mors ecclesia sancta synagoga Side B Videte m anus meas et pedes meos dicit Dominus venite benedicti patris mei dicedite a me maledicti in ignem pater Habraham miserere mei et mitte Lazarum ut in tinguat extremum digiti sui in aquam ut refrig fili recordare quia recepisti bona in vita tua Side C Gunhild qui me cernit pro Helena magni Sueonis regis filia Christum oret que me ad memoriam Dominice passionis parari fecerat Side D Qui in Christum crucifixum credunt Liutgeri memo ri am orando faciant qui me sculpserat roga tu Helene que et Gunhild vocat ur See also editDagmar CrossReferences edit Gunhildkorset lex dk Den Store Danske in Danish Retrieved 2023 01 17 Barrow R 2021 Gunhild s Cross and the North Atlantic Trade Sphere The Medieval Globe 7 1 53 75 a b Titel Gunhild korset in Danish National Museum of Denmark Retrieved 12 June 2021 a b Gunhild korset udskaret af hvalrostand omkring 1150 in Danish National Museum of Denmark Retrieved 12 June 2021 Gunhildkorset in Danish National Museum of Denmark Retrieved 12 June 2021 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gunhild Cross Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gunhild Cross amp oldid 1191894799, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
