Marienschrein

The Marie shrine in Aachen Cathedral is a 1220 Chapter of the Aachen Marienstifts of commissioned and in 1239 completed reliquary. The artwork, which is assigned to the transition period from Romanesque to Gothic, belongs next to the Shrine of Charlemagne among the most important goldsmith work of the 13th century.

Function and tradition

The shrine is the retention of the four great touch relics and shrines of Aachen Cathedral. These are: the diapers and the loincloth of Jesus, the dress of Mary and the decapitation of John the Baptist that every seven years the population and the pilgrims are shown at the Aachen Pilgrimage proven since the plague year of 1349. In addition, he was to the 19th century, the repository of the box Noli me tangere ( "Touch me not ")., A silver-gilt box with mysterious contents

According to tradition Mary's shrine is sealed with an artfully worked castle, which is also poured out even with lead. The corresponding key is sawn by two master goldsmiths. The head of the key is replaced by the cathedral chapter and the beard is the city leaders handed (so-called Konkustodienrecht ). At the beginning of each Heiligtumsfahrt the lock is then crushed to open the shrine again. The locks used will be presented in a permanent exhibition in the Aachen Cathedral Treasury.

Shape and design

The shrine is in the form of a single-aisled basilica with a short transept. In the middle to see the face side, as it were in front transept is the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus, both crowned, over against Charlemagne, on the right front side of Christ on the left Pope Leo III .. On the two long sides of the fire-gilded figures of the twelve Acts under pointed arches depicted seated. Their name appears above them in email signature. The roof surfaces in gold reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, beginning with the Annunciation of the Angel to Mary and ending with the burial.

The ornamental jewelery make numerous email and filigree panels and gilt stamping strips; more than a thousand precious stones, including stone sections were processed in the creation of the artwork. The roof areas are limited cast, provided with clover leaf ornaments roof ridges, which are crowned by seven large, well elaborate Filigranknäufen.

The shrine is similar to its architectural model, to understand the early Christian church in the form of the basilica as a reflection of the sky.

Classification

Stylistically Marie is the shrine in the tradition of the Rhine and Meuse shrines, but has been an examination of the early Gothic on. Probably at least two goldsmiths worked in the work: while the elder was still working in the style of Karl shrine, created by the younger more plastic and more individual in the Gothic style figures. It can be also due to the numerous influences ornamental details on the workshop of the Remaclusschreins prove ( around 1240 ) in Stavelot.

Restoration

Through the centuries-long loads during pilgrimages, and by carrying on the accompanying processions, there was significant damage to the shrine Marie. The gold plated silver was up and running, some parts had dissolved, others were only makeshift repairs and dents, cracks and holes were formed in the course of time. Will occur over 3000 items had to be cleaned and restored. This restoration work has been documented in all phases of the WDR. Since March 2000, the Marian shrine is back to its former glory in its place in a display case in the hall of Aachen Cathedral Choir. Every year he is inspected and cleaned and brought out the showcase as needed.