Germanic & Christian Tales from the Franks Casket

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
by
published on 11 October 2016
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Germanic & Christian Tales from the Franks Casket Download Full Size Image

The left half of this front panel of the casket refers to the Germanic tale of Weland, a smith who was imprisoned and lamed by a legendary king. Weland took revenge by killing the king's sons and turning their skulls into drinking cups. Here, Weland stands in his forge, holding a skull in his tongs.

The right side of the panel tells the Christian story of the three Magi, who bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Jesus. A runic riddle around the panel's edge refers to the whalebone used to make this casket. The Casket was donated by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks. Early 700s. From Auzon, Haute-Loire, Auvergne, modern-day France. (The British Museum, London).

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2016, October 11). Germanic & Christian Tales from the Franks Casket. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5799/germanic--christian-tales-from-the-franks-casket/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Germanic & Christian Tales from the Franks Casket." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified October 11, 2016. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5799/germanic--christian-tales-from-the-franks-casket/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Germanic & Christian Tales from the Franks Casket." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 11 Oct 2016. Web. 22 Feb 2025.

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