Iconographic significance Cross of Otto and Mathilde

the donation plate in detail

the key interpretation , dating of cross donation plate of cross has remained unchanged since creation. on plate, otto, duke of swabia , abbess mathilde depicted in court dress. clothing depicted sogdian silk came frankish empire in form of gifts byzantines. similar fabric held in essen cathedral treasury wrapping relics. since mathilde abbess in essen 973 , not shown in costume of abbess, assumed in newer scholarship depiction in court dress of high noble indicates appears here sister of duke otto , not in role abbess. furthermore, absence of symbols of duke, such sword or lance, otto suggest siblings depicted family members , not dignitaries. mathilde receives cross brother. otto holds cross 2 hands, outstretched fingers, while mathilde grips tightly closed fist. other hand raised up, ambiguous. taken greeting or acceptance gesture directed @ otto or pointing out of image crucifixion, mediation gesture.

the donor portrait, positioning of siblings hands, earlier interpreted indicating otto donated cross abbey sister oversaw abbess. makes odd mathilde not depicted abbess , otto depicted without ducal insignia. common hypothesis, advocated von pothmann among others, combined donation of both siblings, may not fit fact cross depicted on donor portrait not match appearance of cross of otto , mathilde. typically case in medieval donation pictures.

according newer literature depiction of cross being handed otto mathilde must therefore seen symbolically attention family history of liudolfing dynasty: death of duke otto on 31 october 982, there no further male descendents of queen eadgyth, first wife of emperor otto i. mathilde, had strong sense of family, became manager of household death. last member of branch of family, committed maintaining memory of family brother. donor portrait can seen in context, symbolising mathilde s wish maintain legacy childless otto. on basis believed mathilde donated cross memory of brother after death in otto ii s italian campaign of 982. donation might have occurred shortly after death, in 983 or 984, contemporaneously donation of more life size triumphal cross collegiate church of st. peter und alexander in aschaffenburg, in otto buried. painted frame of cross matches edging of cross of otto , mathilde.