VUOLVINIO (VOLVINIO). — Goldsmith active in the first half of the 9th century, author of the golden altar, a masterpiece of Carolingian goldsmithery, offered by Archbishop Angilberto II (824–59) to S. Ambrogio of Milan.
This is the four-sided revetment of the high altar, with sheets of gold and gilded silver worked in repoussé and with the chisel, and ornamented with enamels, precious stones, pearls, and filigree. On the front is depicted Christ enthroned among the symbols of the Evangelists and the 12 Apostles, together with 12 scenes from his life; on the back: 12 scenes from the life of s. Ambrogio and 4 medallions with the archangels Michael and Gabriel, s. Ambrogio crowning the donor, Angilberto and the author, VVOLVINI(US) MAGIST(er) PHABER, as well as the dedicatory inscription, partially redone in various places; on the sides, the cross adored by Angels and Saints. The panels of the Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost, removed around 1588, were remade around 1598–99; there is evidence of further alterations in 1235 and 1337, despite the stringent precautions taken for the safeguarding of the altar. Although the attempt to date the work to the 12th century must certainly be rejected, the hypothesis that the front may be a restoration from the Ottonian period (second half of the 10th century), based on suggestive iconographic comparisons, deserves instead to be taken into consideration.