Casting Mediaeval Monumental Bronzes: The 11th Century Door from Hildesheim, Germany

Abstract The Bernward Doors of Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany, made latest in 1015 CE, are the oldest mediaeval monumental metal objects. The doors depict three-dimensional figures and scenes from the Old and New Testaments and are considered one of the most important examples of Ottonian art. Both door leaves were cast in one piece using the lost wax technique. Taking into account recent, non-invasive chemical analyses of the doors all across its surface on both sides, a full, high-resolution photographic documentation of the doors, their radiographs and casting simulations, we can finally reconstruct the manufacturing process of the largest and heaviest single cast mediaeval copper alloy object.