Crozier Head
Unknown Artist
early 20th century (original dated 13th century)
Medium
Copper-gilt
Dimensions
Overall: 13 3/4 x 5 7/8 x 2 1/4in. (34.9 x 14.9 x 5.7cm)
Classification
Reproductions-Metalwork
Culture
French
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1908
Accession Number
08.105.9
Tags
Art Historical Context
This copper-gilt Crozier Head is a faithful early 20th-century reproduction of a 13th-century French original, created to preserve the intricate details of medieval metalwork. Croziers, the ceremonial staffs carried by bishops, often featured elaborate heads symbolizing pastoral authority. The reproduction captures the delicate forms of human figures and angels that would have adorned the curve of the original staff, reflecting the Gothic period’s emphasis on expressive religious imagery. Crafted in copper-gilt, the piece highlights the techniques of medieval artisans who layered gold over ba...