The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 6, 2026

A square gilded copper and enamel plaque depicts two haloed figures facing each other against a gold background. In their left hands, both figures hold books, one red and one blue. The clean-shaven figure on the left raises a finger, while the bearded figure on the right extends a hand below their book. Vertical blue inscriptions separate the pair. A speckled border frames the scene, with mounting holes appearing in the corners.

Plaque: Thomas and Matthew

c. 1160

Mosan, Valley of the Meuse, Romanesque period, 12th century

gilded copper, champlevé enamel
Overall: 5.8 x 6.1 cm (2 5/16 x 2 3/8 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1952.462.2
Location: 106C Medieval Treasury

Description

It is likely this pair of enamel plaques depicting the apostles Simon with Thaddeus and Thomas with Matthew once formed part of the decoration of a portable altar, a reliquary triptych, or some other kind of liturgical object.
  • Albin Chalandon, Lyons; (Rosenberg & Stiebel, Inc., New York).
  • Romanesque Art. Snite Museum, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN (November 6-December 4, 1960).
    Paris 1913, Exposition d'objects d'art du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance, organise par le Marquise de Ganay a L'Ancien Hotel de Sagan
  • {{cite web|title=Plaque: Thomas and Matthew|url=false|author=|year=c. 1160|access-date=06 June 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1952.462.2