Crowned Pair
The term Crowned Pair seems such a common term that it naturally provokes questions as to the identity of the featured figures. But this question has remained controversial. A man and a woman are shown seated on a throne. The woman sits to the right hand and they lean towards each other. They wear simple garments fastened by precious clasps. The folds of their clothes fall softly to reveal the contours of their bodies. Both hold attributes in their hands: the man has a sceptre in his left and ball-filled ring in his right, the woman has an open book in her right hand to which her left hand indicates. Who might the figures represent? It is often thought that they represent either the Ottonian emperor Otto I and his wife Editha, or Christ and Ecclesia. But both ascriptions raise further questions. What might have led to the creation of sculptures of wordly rulers from the 10th century to the middle of the 13th century? Are they founder portraits, such as those familiar from the Naumburg Cathedral? In what context would the creation of a group of figures consisting of Christ and Ecclesia be clear to a viewer? Unfortunately, there are no reliable indicators regarding either the place of origin or determinable individual characteristics or the figures who are represented. As a result, it has not been possible to clarify their identity and the term Crowned Pair remains the most suitable for this interesting piece of art.