Altar Facing from Bale Cathedral

Altar Face of
Basel Cathedral
Fulda ( ?), early 11th century
Gold on oakwood, precious 
stones, pearls, beads
H. 1.20; W. 1.775; th. 0.13m
Treasure from Basel
Cathedral
Acq. 1854 ; Cl. 2350

The antependium is the decorative piece adorning the front of an altar. Many were made of metal through the Middle Ages, but very few are conserved today. The antependium from Basel Cathedral was made using the repoussé technique. Five characters are shown beneath arcades separated by narrow columns: in the centre, Christ is surrounded by archangels Raphael, Gabriel and Michael and Saint Benoit, father of the western monks. At Christ's feet, two small characters are prostrate: Germanic emperor Henry II and empress Cunegonde, donors of the antepedium. The altar face may have been meant for the Abbey of Monte Cassino, first abbey of the order founded by Saint Benedict, or to some other important Benedictine monastery.