The Saint-Denis Crystal or Cristal de Saint-Denis is a Caroligian engraved gem depicting the crucifixion of Christ, that was originally held in the treasury of the Abbey of Saint-Denis in France. During the French Revolution many pieces in the Abbey's treasure were either broken up and destroyed or sold - the Saint Denis Crystal eventually made its way to the British Museum in London, where it resides to this day.[1]
The Saint-Denis Crystal is one of 20 or so engraved intaglios of rock crystal to survive from the Middle Ages. On the flat surface of the crystal is engraved the crucifixion of Christ, who is flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint John who are holding clothes to their faces in expressions of grief. Above this scene are two images of the moon and the sun.
History
Estimated to date between 846 and 869 AD, the crystal was clearly made for an important client from the Carolingian court. For a long time, it was kept in the treasury of the Abbey of Saint-Denis, where almost all the monarchs of France are buried. Following the French Revolution the crystal was sold at auction in 1798 and, after going through various hands, was purchased by the British Museum in 1855.
See also
Lothair Crystal, another engraved gem also in the British Museum
Caygill, Marjorie (2001), The British Museum A-Z companion, Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, ISBN978-1-57958-303-3
Kornbluth, Genevra Alisoun (1995), Engraved gems of the Carolingian empire, Pennsylvania State University Press, ISBN978-0-271-01426-5
December 31, 2022
saint, denis, crystal, cristal, saint, denis, caroligian, engraved, depicting, crucifixion, christ, that, originally, held, treasury, abbey, saint, denis, france, during, french, revolution, many, pieces, abbey, treasure, were, either, broken, destroyed, sold,. The Saint Denis Crystal or Cristal de Saint Denis is a Caroligian engraved gem depicting the crucifixion of Christ that was originally held in the treasury of the Abbey of Saint Denis in France During the French Revolution many pieces in the Abbey s treasure were either broken up and destroyed or sold the Saint Denis Crystal eventually made its way to the British Museum in London where it resides to this day 1 Saint Denis CrystalMaterialQuartzGilt Metal frame SizeLength 15 5cm Weight 1 08 kgPeriod cultureCarolingian crystal Medieval frame PlaceLondonPresent locationBritish MuseumIdentification1855 0305 1 Contents 1 Description 2 History 3 See also 4 References 5 Further readingDescription EditThe Saint Denis Crystal is one of 20 or so engraved intaglios of rock crystal to survive from the Middle Ages On the flat surface of the crystal is engraved the crucifixion of Christ who is flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint John who are holding clothes to their faces in expressions of grief Above this scene are two images of the moon and the sun History EditEstimated to date between 846 and 869 AD the crystal was clearly made for an important client from the Carolingian court For a long time it was kept in the treasury of the Abbey of Saint Denis where almost all the monarchs of France are buried Following the French Revolution the crystal was sold at auction in 1798 and after going through various hands was purchased by the British Museum in 1855 See also EditLothair Crystal another engraved gem also in the British MuseumReferences Edit British Museum CollectionFurther reading EditCaygill Marjorie 2001 The British Museum A Z companion Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers ISBN 978 1 57958 303 3 Kornbluth Genevra Alisoun 1995 Engraved gems of the Carolingian empire Pennsylvania State University Press ISBN 978 0 271 01426 5 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Saint Denis Crystal amp oldid 1104140898, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
