An Archaeometric Investigation of Gems and Glass Beads Decorating the Double-Arm Reliquary Cross from Liège, Belgium

Yannick Bruni,Philippe George,Frédéric Hatert,Julien Maquet,Merry Demaude,Nicolas Delmelle

doi:10.3390/heritage4040250

Abstract

In 1914, a magnificent reliquary cross dating from the early XIIIth century was discovered in a safe from the Liège Cathedral. This double-arm cross shows a wooden structure, covered by gold-coated copper on the front, and by carved silver plates on the back. Its total length is 34 cm, and it is covered by filigrees, gems, glass beads, and pearls on its front. The reliquary cross was analysed by Raman spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) to determine the mineralogical and chemical compositions of gems, glass beads, and metals that have been used to decorate it. The results confirm the identification of twenty-five turquoises from Egypt, one garnet from Sri Lanka, as well as six quartz and one opal whose origin is difficult to certify. Twelve glass beads, showing green, blue, or amber tints, were also identified. Their compositions either correspond to soda lime glasses with natron or to potash–lead glasses similar to those of Central Europe. Moreover, a small polished red cross and a green stone appear to be constituted by nice doublets, composed of coloured glass covered by quartz. The filigrees contain Au and Cu, while carved plates covering the edges and the back of the cross are made of silver.

Highlights

The double-arm reliquary cross from Liège is hosted in the Treasure of the Cathedral
The reliquary cross of Liège is decorated by fifty-six coloured stones and pearls, which are symmetrically arranged (Figures 1 and 2)
Dating from the beginning of the 13th century, the double-arm reliquary cross from minerals were mined in many countries around the world, as for example France, SwitzerLiège is decorated by fifty-six coloured samples, constituted by gemstones and glass beads land and Italy in Europe, Egypt in Africa, or Iran and India in Asia [52,53,54]

Summary

Introduction

The double-arm reliquary cross from Liège is hosted in the Treasure of the Cathedral. A detailed investigation by George [1] showed that this goldsmithery item was realized with a “Mosan style” (name from the Meuse River located nearby) during the early XIIIth century. The history of this magnificent artwork is quite unknown because Émile Schoolmeesters, dean of the Chapter, discovered it inside a safe of the Treasure only in 1914. Assigned to Hugo d’Oignies or its workshop, the cross, measuring 34 cm height, is made of a wood structure, covered by golden copper filigrees and decorated by stones on its front (Figure 1A,B), and by carved silver plates on its edges and back (Figure 1B,C). In 1993, a restoration allowed to Louis-Pierre Baert to remove the more recent golden copper pedestal and to add two new missing stones [1,2,3]

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