Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Bust of Charlemagne

The Bust of Charlemagne is a reliquary made around 1350 in the form of Charlemagne’s bust. According to tradition, it contains his skullcap as a relic. The work belongs to the late medieval furnishings of Aachen Cathedral and is kept in the Aachen Cathedral Treasury. It is regarded as one of the most important examples of Gothic goldsmiths’ work and is probably the best-known reliquary bust of all. The sculpture is an idealized image rather than a portrait of Charlemagne. Its crown is older than the bust itself, probably made in a Prague workshop, and was used for the coronations of Charles IV in 1349 and Sigismund in 1414, when the imperial crown was unavailable.

Golden bust of Charlemagne with a crown, beard, and ornate jewel-like decoration.
Bust of Charlemagne, shown as a richly decorated golden crowned figure.
May 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bust of Charlemagne with a silver-toned face, golden beard, jeweled crown, and ornate gold reliquary chest.
The Bust of Charlemagne is shown with its jeweled crown and richly decorated reliquary body.
September 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bust of Charlemagne showing a bearded man with long wavy hair, a crown with a cross, and a decorated chest piece.
Bust of Charlemagne with a crown, long wavy hair, and an ornate patterned chest piece.
1898 © Spyridōn Paulou Lampros · Public domain
A reliquary bust of Charlemagne carried on a decorated platform during a procession, partly obscured by a ceremonial cross.
The bust of Charlemagne is carried in procession during the 1955 Pilgrimage of the Relics in Maastricht.
July 1955 © Naseman · CC BY-SA 3.0
Close-up of Charlemagne\'s bust reliquary showing a carved light-colored cameo face set in ornate gold metalwork with red jewels.
A carved cameo face is embedded in the ornate gold bust reliquary of Charlemagne.
September 2016 © · CC0

Identification

TitleBust of Charlemagne
Original nameKarlsbüste
Typereliquary bust
SubjectCharlemagne

Historical context

Date createdcirca 1350
Tradition of creationAccording to Aachen tradition, it was made on the occasion of Charles IV's sponsorship at the time of his coronation at Aachen Cathedral; the donation is not documented but is considered probable because of Charles IV's admiration for Charlemagne

Creator

MakerAn Aachen goldsmith, possibly trained in France

Discovery and provenance

Place of manufactureMosan region (the valley of the River Meuse)
Associated withlate medieval furnishings of Aachen Cathedral
Original patron/donorAccording to Aachen tradition, Charles IV

Location and ownership

Current locationAachen Cathedral Treasury, Aachen
Display locationCathedral treasury room in Aachen Cathedral
Current placement for liturgical occasionsSet up in Aachen Cathedral for the Karlsfest and the Feast of the Ascension

Physical characteristics

Garment borderGold filigree border set with precious stones
Body decorationDamascened silver imperial eagles on a gold ground
Face and neckChased silver with pronounced modeling; partly gilt
Hair and beardGilded
BaseOctagonal pedestal with openings on two sides for a carrying pole or wooden carrying frame
RepresentationAn idealized depiction of Charlemagne with some individualized facial features; not a realistic portrait
FormPortrait bust
CrownGold lily crown set with precious stones; probably modified for Charles IV's coronation and later restored by August Witte in 1873

Materials

Main materialSilver-gilt
Additional materialsPrecious stones, including antique gems such as cameos and intaglios

Technique

Metalworking techniqueChased and repoussé silver, partly gilded, with damascening and filigree

Iconography and meaning

Crown useUsed for the coronations of Charles IV in 1349 and Sigismund in 1414 when the imperial crown was not available
Crown modificationThe central arch with a cross, or strap holding the cross, was probably added for Charles IV's coronation
Liturgical useCarried in processions and brought before the king at coronations, where the ruler was symbolically received by Charlemagne as his legitimate successor
Crown provenanceAccording to a charter of 1262, Richard of Cornwall granted the crown to Aachen Minster for all time
Ritual meaningThe new ruler venerated the relic of Charlemagne as his predecessor
FunctionA reliquary that, according to tradition, contains the skullcap of Charlemagne as a relic
MeaningThe imperial eagles and fleur-de-lis refer to Holy Roman imperial dignity and French kingship; the antique gems and cameos allude to Roman antiquity and medieval imperial ideology

Significance

Art-historical significanceOne of the most important examples of Gothic goldsmithing and a masterpiece of late Gothic metalwork and figural sculpture; a high point of Rhenish-Mosan goldsmithing
Historical influenceHelped initiate a flourishing period of silver-gilt, naturalistically modeled bust reliquaries
FameProbably the best-known and most famous reliquary bust in the world
Use in modern symbolismA central stylized element in the signet/logo of the Charlemagne Prize Foundation and a recognizable symbol of Aachen