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Arm Reliquary of the Apostles
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Taking the form of a clothed lower arm with an outstretched hand, this reliquary from the Guelph Treasure appropriately enshrines a piece of an unidentified saint’s arm bone. Arm reliquaries like this one served as liturgical props; during religious services and processions, the clergy used them to bless and touch the faithful, thus making the presence of the saint more palpable and immediate. The apostle busts that decorate this arm reliquary seem to indicate that the relic it contains is that of an apostle. Duke Henry the Lion, a major patron of the church of Saint Blaise, is known to have received such relics from the Byzantine emperor Manuel I (1143-1180) upon his return from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
| Artist / Maker | Germany, Lower Saxony, Hildesheim, Romanesque period, late 12th century |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1190 |
| Culture / Origin | Germany, Lower Saxony, Hildesheim, Romanesque period, late 12th century |
| Medium | gilt silver, champlevé enamel, oak |
| Dimensions | Overall: 51 x 14 x 9.2 cm (20 1/16 x 5 1/2 x 3 5/8 in.) |
| Department | Medieval Art |
| Type | Metalwork |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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