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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, gilded silver, 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

More Artwork

More Artwork
Reliquary Cross, Translucent enamel, silver, gilded silver, coral, glass, rock-crystal, gold leaf, Italian
Reliquary Cross
Italian
14th century
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Gold, ronde-basse enamel, and jewels, French
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
French
early 15th century
Reliquary Diptych, Verre églomisé, painted and gilded wood, parchment, and possible human remains, Italian
Reliquary Diptych
Italian
late 14th century
Reliquary Cross, Gilded silver, rock crystal, glass cabochons, and possible human remains; wood core, French
Reliquary Cross
French
ca. 1180
Plaque with the Descent from the Cross, Elephant ivory, whale bone, traces of paint, and gilding, French
Plaque with the Descent from the Cross
French
ca. 1320–40

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