The Alfred Jewel : reuse of Roman spolia

Author

Kornbluth, Genevra A.

Document type

Article (journal)

Language

English

Source

Medieval archaeology. 1989, Vol. 33, p. 32-37, 8 ill.

ISSN

0076-6097

Abstract (en)

The Alfred Jewel's (Oxford, Ashmolean Museum) covering panel of rock crystal is anomalous in the context of Anglo-Saxon art. Typology indicates that it was probably not imported from a contemporary Continental workshop. Markings on the stone's surfaces show that it was, however, used in another context before being set in its present mount. Roman comparanda (crystal panels in Rome and opus sectile elements from Kenchreai) best parallel the crystal's size and shape. The Oxford panel was probably a Roman decorative inset, possibly salvaged from a wall or piece of furniture. It must have determined the unusual shape of the Alfred Jewel.

Subject (en)

• General history of art -- 300-1400 -- Decorative arts -- Metalwork -- United Kingdom
• Metalwork
• Anglo-Saxon
• Great Britain
• 800-900
• Alfred Jewel
• Crystal
• Roman [style]
• Reuse
• Spolia
• Oxford University, Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology||Oxford (GBR)

Subject (fr)

• Histoire générale de l'art -- 300-1400 -- Arts décoratifs -- Arts du métal -- Royaume-Uni
• Art du métal
• Anglo-saxon (art)
• Grande-Bretagne
• 800-900
• Joyau d'Alfred
• Cristal
• Romain (art)
• Réemploi
• Spolia
• Oxford University, Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology||Oxford (GBR)

Origin

DatabaseBHA (Inist-CNRS/GRI)

Identifier19910701-00457284

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