General admission for children 17 years and under is always free

French, Limoges - Reliquary Casket, about 1200-1250

French, Limoges

Reliquary Casket, about 1200-1250

Champlevé enamel on copper with semi-precious stones , 16.5 x 13.5 x 8 cm (6 1/2 x 5 5/16 x 3 1/8 in.)

Commentary

Created in the Middle Ages for important ecclesiastical and royal patrons, the colorful enamels of Limoges, France were renowned throughout Europe. Four figures of saints decorate the front of this reliquary casket which would house the relics (fragments of bone, skin, or hair) of a holy person. Isabella purchased it in 1897 when she and her husband Jack were visiting Munich, Germany. She placed it with other liturgical items in the Ecclesiastical Case in the Long Gallery.