Stock Photo: St. Andrew's Altar, c.980

St.

Image Details

Photo ID
6846
Title
St. Andrew's Altar, c.980
Caption
St. Andrew's Portable Altar, made c.980 AD in Trier. This fascinating reliquary altar enshrines a sole of St. Andrew the Apostle's sandal. This relic is one of those said to have been brought from the Holy Land to Trier by Empress Helena in the 4th century. The splendid reliquary was commissioned by Archbishop Egbert (977-93), who had a special devotion to Saint Andrew.

The portable altar consists of an oak box covered in gold and ivory and topped with a gilded model of the saint's foot, complete with bejeweled sandal strap. It has a sliding lid so that the relics inside could be shown and touched. The long sides are fixed with smooth ivory plates affixed with gold lions and enamel medallions of the Four Evangelists. The plates are surrounded by bands of enamel platelets, gemstones, and pearls. One of the short ends has two Saint Andrew's crosses made of pearls; the other end has a gold coin with the portrait of Emperor Justinian I surrounded by pearls and red garnet. The reliquary was made to be portable, so that it could be carried by kings and bishops when they traveled and used for Mass when they were at home. There are rings on the lion-shaped feet and on the top, allowing the portable altar to be hung or carried in processions.
Credit
Holly Hayes
Status
  All Rights Reserved
Date Created
November 29, 2010
Date Added
November 29, 2010
Last Updated
March 6, 2024
Coordinates
49.7559820° N, 6.6439010° E
Camera
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Focal Length
32 mm
ISO
500
File Size
1.42 MB
Full Resolution
5616 x 3744 pixels

Image Location