Cleveland Museum of Art

Wooden Casket: Scenes from the Life of Christ

Date

c. 1050

Medium

boxwood, copper-alloy, glass

Culture

Anglo-Saxon, England, West Midlands?, Romanesque period, 11th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This casket is a rare, if not unique example of high-quality woodcarving from Anglo-Saxon England. Decorated with scenes from Christ’s life, it was likely made for an ecclesiastical purpose and may have housed relics. On one long side, the Christ child rests in the manger. Above, the Crucifixion is shown with mourners gathered below the cross and two angels flanking it on either side. On the other long side is the Ascension, God’s hand pulling Christ heavenward. Christ in Majesty appears above. The short sides show Christ’s baptism and his entry into Jerusalem.

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