AHOW: 053 Lothair Crystal 16 Jun 2010




A History of the World in 100 Objects show

Summary: Crystal engraved with images from the Biblical story of Susanna. Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, looks at the Lothair Crystal, made in the mid-9th century and showing scenes of Susanna, wife of a rich merchant, falsely accused of adultery. The crystal was intended to exemplify the proper functioning of justice but, intriguingly, the king it was made for was himself trying to have his marriage annulled so he could marry his mistress.