The earliest works of the Carolingian renaissance, made in the last quarter of the 8th century, resemble Hiberno-Saxon art of the 8th century in their abstract treatment of the human figure, their animal ornament, and their use of niello and “chip-carving” technique; examples are the Tassilo Chalice and the Lindau Gospels book cover. From about 800 onward, however, the influence of the Mediterranean tradition gained strength at Charlemagne’s court at Aachen and later spread through the whole empire. Triumphal arches (now lost) given by the Emperor’s biographer Einhard to Maastricht cathedral were typical of this movement; miniature versions nine inches ...(100 of 28248 words)