Altar cross or reliquary cross - Middle Ages replica of the abbess cross from the treasury of the Aachen - Burtscheid Abbey

Description

One of the most beautiful and technically complex altar crosses from the Middle Ages is the so-called “Abbess Cross” from the abbey treasury of St. Johann Abbey in Aachen-Burtscheid in Germany.

The original reliquary cross has been traced back to the 12th century and is one of the central exhibits in this abbey's treasury.

The almost original replica of the abbess cross was created in our goldsmith's studio in almost 1500 hours of work.

The decorative fittings on the front with the many gemstone and pearl settings and the elaborate, 3-dimensional filigree were gold-plated with 24 carat fine gold. The real highlight, however, is the almost original and particularly high-quality gemstone setting:

32 genuine cultured pearls, 1 hand-cut rock crystal, 15 blood-red rubies, 7 Colombian emeralds, 4 sapphires, 3 beryls, 7 amethysts, 3 iolites and 18 almandines ignite a veritable firework display.

The larger cross on top (in the original it contains a cross relic) can be opened using a split pin attached to a small chain; the small cross in the middle is tightly closed.

The lavishly decorated and true-to-original side panels were each individually hand-cast, manually fitted into the cross body and then silver-plated. The replica of the engraving on the back, which is also true to the original (see details below), was etched into the copper, then electroplated with silver and patinated by hand. Inside the cross there is a solid wooden core, analogous to the original.

The base, which differs from the original but is stylistically appropriate, is an excellent Wilhelminian style copy of a Romanesque candlestick. It was also elaborately reworked: it is hand-polished, galvanically sealed and then gold-plated with 24 carat fine gold. The base was only patinated very slightly in order to further highlight and appropriately emphasize the character of the independence of this former lecture cross.

Dimensions including neo-Romanesque base: 59 cm x 19 cm (height x width)
Dimensions only gemstone cross without foot: 34 cm x 19 cm (height x width)

Material: Gold plated brass and copper, gemstones (see below) and pearls

The church cross was 100% handmade.
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