Book Cover of the Gospel Ornamented with the Triumphant Christ

Treasury of Oignies

Origin

Priory of Oignies, Belgium

Current location

TreM.a (Musée des Arts anciens du Namurois – Treasury of Oignies)

Materials

Oak, silver, gold, gemstones, intaglios, cameos, niello, enamels

Dimensions

32.5 x 23.2 x 2 cm

Date

ca. 1250

Identifier

FRB. Dépôt SAN, inv. n°TO1

History

Donated by the Sisters of Notre-Dame of Namur.

Description

On the silver binding plates appear Christ in Majesty and the Crucifixion. The niello, embossing, and filigree are of remarkable quality. Within the interlace, one can discern a hunting scene, and to the left of Christ in Majesty, a representation of Hugo of Oignies himself, accompanied by the letters of his name. Also noteworthy is a chalcedony Gorgon's head set above the Crucifixion.

Source: Fondation Roi Baudouin website: Fondation Roi Baudouin

Related Work

This book cover is paired with a second one depicting Christ on the Cross: Book Cover with Christ on the Cross