Cross of Lothair II


Large, colorful gems ornament this magnificent Ottonian cross, likely made for emperor Otto III.

Cross of Lothair II, c. 1000 (Ottonian), oak core, gold, silver, gems, pearls, Augustus spolia cameo, cloisonné enamel, 50 x 38.5 x 2.3 cm, base dates to the 14th century, dedicated by Otto III (Aachen Cathedral Treasury Germany). Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker


Additional resources

Eliza Garrison, “Otto III at Aachen,” Peregrinations: Journal of Medieval Art and Architecture, volume 3, number 1 (2010), pp. 83–137.


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Cite this page as: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "Cross of Lothair II," in Smarthistory, August 3, 2023, accessed October 1, 2023, https://smarthistory.org/cross-of-lothair-ii/.