Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Title: Otto-Matilda Cross
  • Creator:
  • Description: The crucified Christ stands above the serpent of Eden. An enamel plaque in the lowest terminal depicts the Abbess Matilda, on the left, and her brother, Otto, Duke of Swabia, on the right. Both wear regal clothing and present a processional cross--the Otto-Matilda Cross itself. Matilda commissioned this work for her monastery at Essen.
  • Source: WikiMedia Commons
  • Rights: Public domain
  • Subject (See Also): Crosses and Crucifixes Liturgical Objects Matilda, Abbess of Essen Monasticism Patronage, Ecclesiastical
  • Geographic Area: Germany
  • Century: 10
  • Date: circa 985
  • Related Work:
  • Current Location:
  • Original Location:
  • Artistic Type (Category): Digital images; Metalwork
  • Artistic Type (Material/Technique): Wood core; Gold; Precious gems; Pearls
  • Donor: Female religious; Matilda, grand-daughter of Emperor Otto the Great, and abbess of Essen
  • Height/Width/Length(cm): 44.5 cm x 29.5 cm x 1.8 cm /Essen, Cathedral Treasury/
  • Inscription: Above Matilda: MATHILD ABBA (TISSA); Above Otto: OTTO DUX
  • Related Resources: