Minneapolis Institute of Art

Arm reliquary

Probably France (Brittany)

Date

c. 1350–1400

Medium

Silver, parcel gilt, ruby, saphires, garnet, spinel, beryl, quartzes, pearls, rock crystal

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A reliquary contains a relic (or what is recognized as a relic) of a particular saint—often a fragment of bone or other body part—and often takes the form of the source of the relic. Reliquaries were commissioned by Catholic churches from prominent local goldsmiths, starting in the Middle Ages, and displayed for veneration in church and in holy processions. Arm reliquaries were a favorite form at this time as priests would use them to touch the faithful, believing that the power of the deceased saint could help heal them. It is not known whether this reliquary was intended for a congregation in Brittany, in northern France, or in southern England, where it is thought to have originated and was most recently collected. Its realistic use of sheet silver wrapping the hand, with fingers raised in blessing, and its rich adornment with precious stones, silver-gilt banding in imitation of richly embroidered trim, and a rock crystal reliquary compartment (now empty) continue to make it a captivating object. Europe

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