:en:Gunhild Cross
{{Infobox artefact
| name = Gunhild Cross
| image = Gunhildkorset.jpg
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| material = Ivory
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| created = 12th century
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| location = National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen
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The Gunhild Cross ({{Langx|da|Gunhildkorset}}), named for its first owner, Gunhild, a daughter of Svend III of Denmark, is a mid-12th-century crucifix carved in walrus tusk and with both Latin and Runic inscriptions. It is now in the collection of the National Museum of Denmark.{{Cite web |title=Gunhildkorset {{!}} lex.dk |url=https://denstoredanske.lex.dk/Gunhildkorset |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Den Store Danske |language=da}}Barrow, R. (2021). Gunhild's Cross and the North Atlantic Trade Sphere. The Medieval Globe, 7(1), 53-75.
History
It is believed that the cross was created around 1150. A Latin inscription reads "Liutgerus who carved me at the behest of Helena, who is also called Gunnhildr". Based on research by Harald Langberg, it is believed that King Svend refers to Svend III Grathe, (died 1157) and not as previously believed Sweyn II Estridsen.{{cite web|url=https://runer.ku.dk/VisGenstand.aspx?Titel=Gunhild-korset|title=Titel: Gunhild-korset|language=Danish|publisher=National Museum of Denmark|access-date=12 June 2021}} The artist Luitger is not known from other works.{{cite web|url=https://natmus.dk/historisk-viden/temaer/genstande-af-enestaaende-betydning/genstande-fra-danmarks-middelalder-og-renaessance/gunhild-korset/|title=Gunhild-korset, udskåret af hvalrostand omkring 1150|language=Danish|publisher=National Museum of Denmark|access-date=12 June 2021}}
The cross is first mentioned in 1650 and had at that time supposedly belonged to {{Interlanguage link|Holger Rosenkrantz (1574-1642)|lt=Holger Rosenkrantz|da|Holger Rosenkrantz (1574-1642)}}' wife {{Interlanguage link|Sophie Axelsdatter Brahe|da}}. In 1684, it was acquired by the Royal Cabinet of Curiosities (Kunstkammer). In 1945, it was transferred to the National Museum of Denmark.{{cite web|url=https://samlinger.natmus.dk/dmr/asset/167941|title=Gunhildkorset|language=Danish|publisher=National Museum of Denmark|access-date=12 June 2021}}
Description
The cross is carved in two blocks of walrus tusk and measures {{Convert|29 x 22|cm|in|abbr=on}}. It was originally painted in red, blue and golden colours.
The central Christ figure on the front side is missing. The four cross arms are decorated with carved medallions of female figures, symbolizing "Life" (top), "Death" (bottom), the "victorious church" (left) and the "defeated synagogue" (right). The rear side of the cross is also decorated with carvings. In the centre is a Last Judgement representation of Christ in Majesty. The four medallions depict scenes from Heaven (top) and Hell (bottom) as well as the saved (left) and damned souls (right).
The Latin inscriptions are written carved in relatively wide capital letters with an abundant use of ligatures and abbreviations. The name Gunhild is also written in runes on the edge of the bottom medallion. The Latin inscription reads:
| English translation Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews. Life, Death, the Holy Church, the Synagogue. Regard my hands and my feet says the Lord. Come here, into my Father's blessing, go away from me, you accursed, to (eternal) fire. Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip his finger in water and cool (my tongue). Son, remember that you received good things in your life. Gunnhildr. He who sees me shall pray to Christ for Helena, daughter of King Suenono Magnus, who has had me made in remembrance of the Lord's suffering. Those who believe in the crucified Christ, shall in their prayers remember Liutgerus who carved me at the behest of Helena, who is also called Gunnhildr. | In Latin {{Lang|la|Side A Iesus Nazarenus rex judeorum vita mors ecclesia sancta synagoga Side B Videte [m]anus meas et pedes meos dicit Dominus venite benedicti patris mei dicedite a me maledicti in ignem pater Habraham miserere mei et mitte Lazarum ut [in]tinguat extremum digiti sui in aquam ut refrig fili recordare quia recepisti bona in vita tua Side C Gunhild qui me cernit pro Helena magni Sueonis regis filia Christum oret que me ad memoriam Dominice passionis parari fecerat Side D Qui in Christum crucifixum credunt Liutgeri memo[ri]am orando faciant qui me sculpserat roga tu Helene que et Gunhild vocat[ur].}} |
See also
References
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