Reliquary: M.4-1918

Maker(s)

Production: Unknown

Entities

• Reliquary
• chasse

Categories

• Enamels
• Champlevé enamels

Description

Copper plaques, champlevé, enamelled, engraved, and gilt, with three applied settings for gems, now lost (originally six, two oval and two rectangular, mounted on a wooden carcase, lined with blue paper. The rectangular reliquary stands on four short legs and has a roof with slopes on the front and back.
On the front of the roof are two half length angels holding books reserved in the metal. The front side is similarly decorate. The back of the sloping roof and the back side are decorated with a large diapered lozenge pattern in enamel, blue and red. The gable end has a standing figure of a saint holding a book, reserved in the metal against an enamelled background. The other gable end is now without a plaque, but it was probably identical. The back side of the chasse is hinged and has a lock. The inside is lined with a paper of blue, with white stars

Inside is a label inscribed 'Byzantine chasse from the convent of Martalogas, Province of Walladolid. Band: June 1975. Underneath is a label inscribed 'bought at Christmas 16/7/90, Mutton Coll. 2118

Notes

History note: The convent at Martalogas, Province of Valladolid, Spain. A French collection, no. 823; J.F. Hutton, Manchester; sold Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 16 July 1890, Catalogue of the Valuable Collection of Objects of Art of J.F. Hutton, Esq., Deceased, late of Manchester, p. 5, lot 35; bought for £38 by the Rev. E.S. Dewick, from whom purchased by the Friends of the Fitzwilliam with other items

Legal notes

Given by the Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1918-04-04) by The Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum

Dating

13th Century, second half
Circa 1250 CE - 1300 CE

School or Style

Medieval