Palermo (Sicily)

Reliquary cross

1166-1189

    Gold cross set with precious stones and decorated on each side with cloisonné enamel ornaments alternating geometrical patterns and figurative representations of Christ, the Virgin Mary and the symbols of the evangelists. The work is obviously stylistically similar to the binding on the evangelistary of St Alfan and doubtless originates from the same royal workshop at Palermo, during the reign of William II. The enamels are reminiscent of the Monreale mosaics at Palermo.

Bibliography
- I Normanni, popolo d'Europa, Roma-Venezia, Mario d'Onofiro (dir.), 1994, n° 328.

Location
Cosenza, Tesoro della Cattedrale

Photography : D.R.