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The Reliquary
Gold...symbol of eternity and symbol of light in medieval times. So
then...what group was it that created the most beautiful gold and
gem artifacts across the spans of time? Was it the ancient Mayans?
Was it perhaps the Greeks? The Egyptians? Or was it perhaps an
order...a religious order...like the church for instance?
In medieval times gold had no material value...but it was elected
as the metal used to represent crowns and altars and bible covers
and reliquaries and monstrances. From Byzantine theologians to
Irish monks to German nuns...gold was the vehicle used to visually
represent their faith.
Decades were spent copying Bibles and painting illustrations on
materials made of gold. Bindings for religious tomes were made of
gold and inlaid with jewels. Gold was not only for Kings and Queens
and the royal courts. Nay nay...my friends. Gold was for the Church.
Every Monastery and every Cathedral had its trophy and relic in
order to ascertain the presence and mission of holiness. Gold and
only gold could represent as visible proof how deeply the Lord was
adored and revered. The practice of creating works in gold was
instrumental in establishing innumerable historical examples of
Christian art.
The Reliquary of the Magi was created in Cologne, Germany...circa
1181. It was designed by one Nicholas of Verdun. It stands today
as the largest and most valuable piece of medieval goldsmithery
in existence. It is 220 cm. long, 153 cm. high, and 110 cm. wide.
It is made with well over 300 ancient gems and cameos, more than a
thousand precious stones, and an uncountable amount of pearls.
Enamel adorns the ornaments and figurines. The Reliquary houses
the relics of the three Magi, the remains of Gregory of Spoleto,
and St. Nabor and St. Felix.
It is easily one of the most outstanding examples of the techniques
of gold smithery of the day. In modern time...with all our sophistication,
we do not approach the skills of artisans of the 12th century. Not,
my friends...because we don't have the talent. Rather...because
financial strictures prevent the rewards required for the investment
in time an artist would have to give--speculatively--in order to
create a masterpiece such as the one I've scanned for you all to see.
So...you know the old story. To my home page...down the table menu
...to Tidbit Graphics...and click on Reliquary.