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Reliquary Cross

ca. 1366–1400
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 306
The convex rock crystal at the center once sheltered and magnified a fragment of wood believed to be from the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The whole is sumptuously decorated with images of the life of Jesus on one side, and of saints linked to Saint Francis on the other. Many Franciscan communities in Italy commissioned works of art using translucent enamel, which shimmers like stained glass.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Reliquary Cross
  • Date: ca. 1366–1400
  • Geography: Made in the Marches, Italy
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Translucent enamel, silver, silver-gilt, rock crystal, glass, iron tang
  • Dimensions: Overall (with tang): 24 5/16 x 16 5/16 x 1 1/16 in. (61.8 x 41.5 x 2.7 cm)
    Overall (without tang): 19 3/8 x 16 5/16 x 1 1/16 in. (49.2 x 41.5 x 2.7 cm)
    measurement of single quatrefoil: 3 9/16 x 3 9/16 x 13/16 in. (9.1 x 9.1 x 2.1 cm)
    Ht. to spacer on tang: 20 3/16 in. (51.2 cm)
  • Classification: Enamels-Basse taille
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.498
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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