Champlevé enamel book cover with the Crucifixion. Limoges, France, c.1200.

Champlevé enamelled copper book cover of the Crucifixion of Christ.

Limoges, France, c.1200.

The cover depicts the crucified Christ, his body flanked by the Virgin and Saint John, to either side of his head are angels and from above reaches down the blessed hand of God.

The elegance of the elongated silhouettes of the Virgin and Saint John, the beautiful quality of the engraving, the simplicity of the circular rosettes and their arrangement close to symmetry place this binding plate early in the production of Limoges champlevé enamels, at the end of the 12th to the early 13th century.

Measures 23.5cm high x 10.2cm wide.