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Reliquary Bust of Saint Balbina

ca. 1520–30
On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 16
Medieval reliquaries often took the form of the body parts they were created to contain. Bust reliquaries for the skulls of saints were placed on or near altars and, by the late Middle Ages, were assembled in large numbers in some church sanctuaries, from Cologne in the north to Ubeda in southern Spain. These examples, with elaborate jewels, beautifully braided hair, and richly decorated gowns, probably represent companions of the virgin martyr Saint Ursula, believed to have been eleven thousand in number. The small glazed medallions resembling jewelry once displayed additional relics. On particular feast days, such busts could be carried in processions.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Reliquary Bust of Saint Balbina
  • Date: ca. 1520–30
  • Geography: Made in possibly Brussels, Belgium
  • Culture: South Netherlandish
  • Medium: Oak, with paint and gilding, and human remains
  • Dimensions: Overall: 17 1/2 x 16 x 6 1/4 in. (44.5 x 40.6 x 15.9 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Wood
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Susan Vanderpoel Clark, 1967
  • Object Number: 67.155.23
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

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Reliquary Bust of a Female Saint, Oak, paint, gilt, South Netherlandish
Reliquary Bust of a Female Saint
South Netherlandish
ca. 1520–30
The Way to Calvary, with Saint Veronica Receiving the Veil Imprinted with the Face of Christ, Walnut, paint and gilding, South Netherlandish
The Way to Calvary, with Saint Veronica Receiving the Veil Imprinted with the Face of Christ
South Netherlandish
ca. 1510
Descent from the Cross, Fruitwood with paint, South Netherlandish
Descent from the Cross
South Netherlandish
ca. 1475–1500
Crib of the Infant Jesus, Wood, polychromy, lead, silver-gilt, painted parchment, silk embroidery with seed pearls, gold thread, translucent enamels, South Netherlandish
Crib of the Infant Jesus
South Netherlandish
15th century
Reliquary Bust of a Female Saint, Oak, painted and gilded, and human remains, South Netherlandish
Reliquary Bust of a Female Saint
South Netherlandish
early 16th century

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