Płock Door, Medieval bronze door at Saint Sophia Cathedral, Veliky Novgorod, Russia.
The Płock Door is a bronze door panel featuring 48 relief scenes that depict biblical stories and religious figures with intricate detail. The two panels display metalwork from the 12th century that shows skilled craftsmanship in every scene.
The door was created between 1152 and 1154 in Magdeburg by masters Riquin and Waismuth, then traveled from Poland to Russia in the 13th century. In the 15th century, master Abraham added his signature, which shows how the piece continued to be modified long after its creation.
The door shows a blend of Western European craftsmanship with later added Cyrillic inscriptions that reveal how Catholic and Orthodox traditions influenced each other. You can see this mixing of styles directly on the bronze surface.
The original sits in Saint Sophia Cathedral in Veliky Novgorod, while a replica stands in Płock Cathedral. You can see this artwork from different perspectives if you have time to visit both locations.
Master Abraham left his signature on the door in the 15th century, which is rare for medieval bronze work. This personal mark shows that craftsmen tracked their work across centuries and took pride in their contributions.
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