Reliquary thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sacred Silver & Stained Glass, Room 84, The Whiteley Galleries

Reliquary

ca. 1400-1450 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The bones and possessions associated with Christ and the saints are known as relics. In the Middle Ages and later they were believed to have miraculous powers and were greatly venerated.

The relics were kept in special containers, called reliquaries, whose costly materials and beautiful workmanship reflected the importance of their contents. The relics themselves are occasionally visible, set beneath crystal windows and wrapped in a parchment tag with the name of the saint. Cathedrals and major churches accumulated reliquaries and displayed them on or near the high altar on major holy days.

Like most reliquaries in museums, this one no longer contains its relics. Enamelled letters decorate each of the projections on the stem, making up the name ‘Jesus’. The name of the patron, Augustine ‘de Vokena’[?] is engraved on the foot.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Reliquary
  • Cover (Closure)
Materials and techniques
Copper-gilt, rock crystal
Brief description
Copper-gilt with enamel and glass, possibly Italy, ca.1400-50
Physical description
Conical cover, surmounted by figure of a saint, on rock crystal cylinder flanked by buttresses on a hexagonal stem and foot. Hinged cover.
Marks and inscriptions
(On foot)
Gallery label
Reliquary The bones and possessions associated with Christ and the saints are known as relics. In the Middle Ages and later they were believed to have miraculous powers and were greatly venerated. The relics were kept in special containers, called reliquaries, whose costly materials and beautiful workmanship reflected the importance of their contents. The relics themselves are occasionally visible, set beneath crystal windows and wrapped in a parchment tag with the name of the saint. Cathedrals and major churches accumulated reliquaries and displayed them on or near the high altar on major holy days. Like most reliquaries in museums, this one no longer contains its relics. Enamelled letters decorate each of the projections on the stem, making up the name ‘Jesus’. The name of the patron, Augustine ‘de Vokena’[?], is engraved on the foot. Possibly Italy, about 1400–50 Copper gilt, with enamel and glass Museum no. 708-1884(22/11/2005)
Historical context
HOLY RELICS

The bones, clothing or possessions associated with Christ and the saints were known as relics. In the Middle Ages and later they were credited with miraculous powers and much venerated. They were kept in secure containers called reliquaries, whose costly materials and beautiful workmanship reflected the importance of their contents. The relics themselves are occasionally visible, set beneath crystal windows and sometimes wrapped in a parchment tag inscribed with the name of the saint.

Reliquaries were made in many forms. Some are modelled in the shape of the relic itself but most are box-shaped or of architectural form. The costliest are of gold and silver, embellished with precious stones, though many are of gilded and enamelled copper, decorated with scenes from the life of the saint. Cathedrals and major churches accumulated large collections of reliquaries, which were formally displayed near the high altar on major feast-days. Most of those in museum collections no longer contain their relics.
Summary
The bones and possessions associated with Christ and the saints are known as relics. In the Middle Ages and later they were believed to have miraculous powers and were greatly venerated.

The relics were kept in special containers, called reliquaries, whose costly materials and beautiful workmanship reflected the importance of their contents. The relics themselves are occasionally visible, set beneath crystal windows and wrapped in a parchment tag with the name of the saint. Cathedrals and major churches accumulated reliquaries and displayed them on or near the high altar on major holy days.

Like most reliquaries in museums, this one no longer contains its relics. Enamelled letters decorate each of the projections on the stem, making up the name ‘Jesus’. The name of the patron, Augustine ‘de Vokena’[?] is engraved on the foot.
Collection
Accession number
708-1884

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Record createdMarch 18, 2005
Record URL
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