Romańskie krucyfiksy brązowe z terenu Pomorza Zachodniego
Romanesque bronze crucifixes from Western Pomerania

Summary/Abstract: The bronze crucifixes found in Western Pomerania are examples of tiny crucifixes that were extremely popular during the Romanesque period. In the 12th century and later they were the basic equipment of churches, where they used to be placed on the altars, carried in processions, and used in liturgy or as reliquaries. Both the examples described in the text are realisations of the same pattern within one workshop. On the other hand, they present different forms: the crucifix from Żelichowo is more naturalistic and its character is more creative, whereas the one from Pyrzyce is more schematic (or simplistic) and decorative. The specific form of the head and the structure of the perizoma situate both, according to the classification of Peter Boch, in the group of crucifixes called Hermannburger Folge. Very strong resemblance of both to the image on the Płock Gates, especially in the shapes of the heads with the dominating nose, a ‘garland’ of a beard and slanting eyes, makes it possible to connect both the crucifixes with the Magdeburg workshop and date them to the 7th century. They have been found within the limits of the Duchy of Pomerania (German: Herzogtum Pommern), which testifies that the first Pomeranian churches functioned according to the customs of the time; they also confirm that the transportation tracks, which were bustling with activity, linked the region with important European centres, especially with Magdeburg, which played a significant role in the cultural and civilisational development of Pomerania and Poland

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