Golden table, Medieval relief sculpture at Bode Museum and Minden Cathedral, Germany
The Golden Table is a wooden relief sculpture made from oak standing 250 centimeters tall, crafted in medieval German style with intricate carved panels. It was designed to function as a reredos, the decorative structure placed behind an altar in a church.
This sculpture originated in medieval Germany and spent centuries displayed in Minden Cathedral before moving to Berlin in 1909. It reflects the Gothic carving traditions that were central to German religious art of that era.
This religious artwork was created to inspire people during prayer in medieval churches, with its carved panels designed to catch the eye above altars. The craftsmanship shows how such pieces functioned as spiritual focal points in sacred spaces.
You can view this sculpture at the Bode Museum in Berlin-Mitte, displayed alongside other medieval artworks from the same period. Its 250-centimeter height means you should allow time to observe the carved details at different levels of the work.
This artwork actually combines parts created in two distant medieval periods, blending elements from 1220 with later sections from 1500. Such a mix of time periods in a single piece is unusual and shows how craftspeople would add to and refine religious works across generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
