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Book-Cover Plaque with Christ in Majesty

ca. 1210–20
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304
The importance of scripture in Christianity is such that the book becomes an attribute of God himself. Here Christ is poised majestically in the heavens, surrounded by winged symbols of the authors of the four gospels, two of whom clutch books. This book cover is typical of more than a hundred surviving examples created in Limoges, France in the early 13th century. Luxurious in appearance, such book covers, made from enameled copper plaques, were a relatively sturdy and affordable alternative to silver or gold. Few book covers of Limoges work are still attached to manuscripts, but those that are can be found on gospel books across Europe: in Cracow, Germany and France.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Book-Cover Plaque with Christ in Majesty
  • Date: ca. 1210–20
  • Geography: Made in Limoges, France
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Copper: engraved, chased, scraped, stippled, and gilt; champlevé enamel: dark and light blue, turquoise, green, yellow, red, and white
  • Dimensions: Overall (with wooden support): 10 5/8 x 6 5/8 x 13/16 in. (27 x 16.9 x 2 cm)
    enamels without wooden support: 10 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. (26.1 x 16 cm)
    center plaque: 8 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. (21 x 10.8 cm)
    vertical border plaques: 8 1/4 x 1 in. (21 x 2.6 cm)
    horizontal border plaques: 6 1/4 x 1 in. (15.9 x 2.6 cm)
  • Classification: Enamels-Champlevé
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.798
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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