Crozier, bishop's staff of office, sun disc

Crozier with a solar disc-like top

As leaders of the Christian Church, bishops exercised enormous influence at all levels of society. They were often extremely wealthy and well-educated, and they frequently served as diplomats, feudal lords or patrons of the arts. The political power of bishops in western Europe rose dramatically after a period of Church reform begun by Pope Gregory VII (pope from 1073 - 85). From this time, bishops increasingly placed greater importance on the authority of the pope above that of any single king. This led to a power-struggle between Chruch and State that dominated the medieval period.

Bishops

Crozier head

A crozier is a bishop's staff of office. It is shaped like a shepherd's crook and is inspired by a  description of Christ as the good shepherd in the Gospel of St. John. It therefore represents the bishop as caring for the Christian community in the way that a shepherd tends his flock. This splendid crozier was probably made in the workshop of the famous goldsmith Hugo d' Oignies, located at Namur in modern-day Belguim. It combines expensive materials with elaborate decoration to create a staff worthy of the service of God.

About 1225 - 50 A.D.

Meuse valley, modern-day Belgium

Silver, bronze-gilt, enamel, rock crystal and gems

PE 1898,0521.1

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