|
|
The Treasury of Basel Cathedral
|
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
Dorothy Reliquary Monstrance, 1417–20 (shrine; Upper Rhineland, possibly Constance); about 1440 (base, stem, and crockets and finial above; Basel)
Raised, engraved, pounced, and partially gilded silver, with glass, translucent and opaque champlevé enamel, and a chalcedony intaglio, agate cameo, amethyst, garnet, sapphire, and spinel ruby; H. 21 3/4 in. (55 cm)
Historisches Museum Basel
Description |
Description
The Dorothy monstrance is composed of the mandorla-shaped reliquary capsule and the octafoil base and stem upon which it stands. The reliquary capsule was made for Henman Offenburg (1379–1459), a member of a rich family of Basel apothecaries who earned the favor and confidence of King Sigismund (1368–1437). Intended for private devotion, the reliquary was given to the Treasury by one of Henman's sons, perhaps as an act of piety in the wake of the devastating outbreak of plague in 1439. The capsule was later joined to its stand, so that it could be displayed on the high altar, and the crockets and finial were added to give a more balanced and uniform appearance to the whole.
|
Back to main page for this exhibition
Back to images from this exhibition