Crucifixion front cover


 The crucifixion front cover lays on the Lindau Gospels book. It was made between 870 and 880 at one of the monastic workshops of Charlemagnes grandson, Charles the Bald.

Illustrated manuscripts of the medieval period were very precious and often times protected with equally sumptuous covers such seen here. Covers were made for these manuscripts of valuable materials such as ivory, enamelwork, precious metals, and jewels.  Now, one of the most elaborate book covering of gold and jewels now on the Carolingian manuscript, the Lindau Gospels. Before the 16th century, it was reused on a late ninth-century manuscript from the Monastery of Saint Gall. The from cover is surrounded by heavily jeweled frames of  gold, pearls, sapphires, garnets, and emerald. It is approximately 13inches high and 10 inches long.

Crosses and the Crucifixion were common themes for medieval book covers, because they related the religious importances and power to how significant these manuscripts were. It was crafted in pure gold with figures in repoussé. This means it is of low relief produced by pushing or hammering up from the back panel of metal to produce raised forms on the front.

Westwork of the abbey church

Located in Corvey, Germany, the Westwork of the Abbey church was constructed around the late 9th century. A monumental western entrance block was added was called the Westwork. It combined a ground-floor narthex (vestibule) and an upper-story throne room. It opened onto the chapel interior, allowing the emperor a view of the liturgy at the high altar, in addition to an opening outside into a large walled forecourt.

The core of the chapel is an octagon shape. Central octagonal plan is of recollection of the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. At ground level is the ambulatory, curving aisle passageway. On the second floor is a gallery, an upper-story passageway over-looking the main space. Rising to a clerestory above the gallery level and under the octagonal dome. There are Corinthian columns and railings at the gallery level. The building is richly patterned and multi-colored stone some imported from Italy with mosaics covering the dome at Aachen, all inspired by Byzantine architecture.

It was designed to answer practical requirements of protection and display in buildings such as Charlemagne’s palace chapel. It is one of the hallmarks of Carolingian architecture.

The upper story and towers were later added in the middle of the twelfth century. Exterior represents a symmetrical arrangement of towers flanking a central core. Although the regular pattern of windows and doors devoid of elaborate carving or decoration, the medieval musical graffiti have been discovered in the interior.