I'm leaving, but where to?
Reliquary Cross
Münster, 1st quarter of the 11th century; Mounting on rock crystal: 13th century
Wooden core; gold; filigree; gemstones (sapphire, sard); pearls; copper; rock crystal
Domschatz Münster, Inv.-Nr. E.5
Even in the time of Liudger, the first Bishop of Münster (†805), Stephen was a popular saint. His relics can already be documented in one of the oldest surviving reliquaries of the cathedral: the pearl-studded altar cross. The inscription at the upper shaft of the cross refers to the relics not visible within:
STE PHAN IMR = of the martyr Stephen
HERM[ANNI]· DE VESTE· S[ANCTE] MARIE PANCRATII· M[ARTY]R[IS]· DE LIGNO D[OMI]NI· STEPHANI· M[ARTY]R[IS]· DE SVDARIO· SILVESTRI· P[A]P[AE]· DE SEPVLCHRO· D[OMIN]I· VITI / [Relics] of Hermann/Hermes, of the garment of Mary, of the martyr Pancras, of the wood of the Lord, of the martyr Stephen, of the sudarium, of Pope Sylvester, of the Sepulchre of the Lord, of Vitus.
Some of the pearls and gemstones were reused for the cross. The small green stone is an antique gem: the Greek goddess Minerva is carved into it.
The cross was not converted into a standing cross until the 13th century. For this purpose, a base was fashioned from an Egyptian rock-crystal flask.
The Crucifixion is depicted on the reverse side. The sun and moon cover their faces in mourning.
