Reliquaries

The reliquaries in the Museum Schnütgen’s collection are often made of the finest materials; however, for believers, the most treasured possession was what was originally stored within: the relics, i.e. the mortal remains of saints, remnants of their clothing or the instruments of their martyrdom. It was believed that the saints themselves were present in the relics and their presence enabled the relics to perform miracles. The relic containers were made in a wide variety of different shapes: as “speaking” or “expressive” reliquaries they mimicked the shape of the body part they contained, while others allowed viewers to behold their contents. Cologne is known for the St. Ursula busts, which are said to contain the skull bones of St. Ursula, the patron saint of the city, and her attendants.

Bust of a young woman with cruster.

Reliquary Bust with a Kruseler Veil, Cologne, c. 1350, walnut, polychrome, H. 44 cm, Inv. No. A 97, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Bust of a young man made of wood. On his chest is written: S. Sebastianus.

Reliquary Bust of St. Sebastian, Cologne, c. 1340/1350, walnut, polychrome, H. 24.5 cm, Inv. No. A 257, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Upright arm made of wood. In the palm of the hand is set round rock crystal.

Arm Reliquary, Hildesheim (?), 2nd half of 12th cent., oak, H. 62.5 cm, Inv. No. A 32, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Container in the form of a church model

Container in the Form of a Church Model, Lower Rhine (Cologne?), 11th/12th cent., bronze, 5.3 x 10.1 cm, inv. no. H 43, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Gold plated container with colored glass trim. At the bottom hangs a gilded bird.

Reliquary Pendant, Cologne, 2nd half of 13th cent., rock crystal, gilt silver studded with glass, 8 x 3.3 x 1.7 cm, inv. G 392, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Cylinder-shaped container standing on four gold-plated paws. The center is made of set rock crystal.

Rock Crystal Reliquiary, Cologne, c. 1200, rock crystal, gilt copper studded with gemstones, 16 x 17.5 cm, inv. no. G 17, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Small box with filigree decorations.

Small Reliquary Box with the Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, Limoges, 1195-1200, enamel, 20.2 x 17.9 x 8.2 cm, Inv. No. G 535, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Reliquary in the shape of a bursa. The decorations show Jesus on the cross.

Reliquary in Bag Form, Cologne, c. 1220-1230, gilded sheet copper on oak, 16.5 x 14 x 4 cm, Inv. No. G 536, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Gold colored linen bag with embroidery.

Reliquary Bag (Bursa), Rhineland, 14th and 15th cent., linen with silk embroidery, metal-wrapped thread, 22.2 x 20.9 cm, inv. no. P 870, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

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