Saxon & Medieval — Late Medieval; 14th century
Charlemagne
Hollow-cast pewter bust of a bearded man wearing a crown. This is probably a pilgrim souvenir from the shrine of Charlemagne at Aachen in Germany. Charlemagne was a king and emperor who ruled a large area of Europe from 768 – 814. He collected several holy relics which were preserved in his palace chapel at Aachen. Charlemagne himself was declared a saint in 1165 and his tomb became a focus of pilgrimage, alongside the other holy relics. This bust possibly depicts the head-shaped reliquary that held Charlemagne’s skull. The reliquary was presented to the shrine by Charles IV in 1349.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 93.82
- Object name:
- Charlemagne
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Late Medieval; 14th century
- Material:
lead alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- H 54 mm, W 31 mm, D 12 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.