An early 12th century Italian or Sicilian reliquary cross from the Welfenschatz.
© bpk / Kunstgewerbemuseum, SMB / Elsa Postel
The so-called Welfenschatz or Guelph Treasure, assembled by the dukes of Brunswick over nine centuries, was sold in 1929 to a consortium of dealers from Frankfurt.
They later negotiated the sale of around half the 82 pieces to museums and collectors in the US and Europe.