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Source: Metmuseum.org, www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/17.190.520/. |
What's In The Box: Saint Thomas Reliquary
This decorative box is much more than what it seems. The intended purpose
of this item was to be a Reliquary Casket for Thomas Becket of England. Thomas
Becket is famous for being a martyr, a saint, and an archbishop of Canterbury. Saint
Thomas lived a humble life when he was young, living in a merchant family. When he
became old enough, Saint Thomas studied many different places and became an
extremely educated individual. As an adult he became a city clerk before becoming familiar
with several archbishops and largely influential people such as Vacarius and John of
Salisbury. The people around him described Saint Thomas as “a tall andspare figure
with dark hair and a pale face flushed with excitement” (Britannica). Throughout his
career, he had some positive and some negative experiences with his position as
Chancellor and as Archbishop. Eventually, Saint Thomas had developed negative
relations with King Henry II, which led to Saint Thomas being exiled, and eventually martyred.
of this item was to be a Reliquary Casket for Thomas Becket of England. Thomas
Becket is famous for being a martyr, a saint, and an archbishop of Canterbury. Saint
Thomas lived a humble life when he was young, living in a merchant family. When he
became old enough, Saint Thomas studied many different places and became an
extremely educated individual. As an adult he became a city clerk before becoming familiar
with several archbishops and largely influential people such as Vacarius and John of
Salisbury. The people around him described Saint Thomas as “a tall andspare figure
with dark hair and a pale face flushed with excitement” (Britannica). Throughout his
career, he had some positive and some negative experiences with his position as
Chancellor and as Archbishop. Eventually, Saint Thomas had developed negative
relations with King Henry II, which led to Saint Thomas being exiled, and eventually martyred.
 | ||||
Source: Metmuseum.org, www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/17.190.520/. |
Reliquaries are important to understand when talking about early Christianity
during the middle ages. They served as a reminder to Christians of how devout their
faith should be, as reliquaries often contained body parts of Saints who have died for
standing up for their faith. Reliquaries also created destinations for Christians. For example,
sometimes towns of high importance would have reliquaries, but also smaller towns would
have them too and it would draw in mass amounts of people, which would benefit their
town and their local church. Many early medieval Christians would make long trips
or Pilgrimages to see reliquaries and visit holy sites.
during the middle ages. They served as a reminder to Christians of how devout their
faith should be, as reliquaries often contained body parts of Saints who have died for
standing up for their faith. Reliquaries also created destinations for Christians. For example,
sometimes towns of high importance would have reliquaries, but also smaller towns would
have them too and it would draw in mass amounts of people, which would benefit their
town and their local church. Many early medieval Christians would make long trips
or Pilgrimages to see reliquaries and visit holy sites.
This specific reliquary is made from gilded silver with a jewel on the top of the box.
On the sides images can be scenes of Saint Thomas martyrdom. These images are flat
and stylized, which tells that it is from the Middle Ages. During this time, art’s sole purpose
was to portray a message, and almost all of the art to come from this period was Christian
. Realism was not of importance at the time, however what the images were portraying was
the focus. It is clear the artist who designed this specific reliquary wanted to remind onlookers
of Saint Thomas ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs.
On the sides images can be scenes of Saint Thomas martyrdom. These images are flat
and stylized, which tells that it is from the Middle Ages. During this time, art’s sole purpose
was to portray a message, and almost all of the art to come from this period was Christian
. Realism was not of importance at the time, however what the images were portraying was
the focus. It is clear the artist who designed this specific reliquary wanted to remind onlookers
of Saint Thomas ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs.
This item can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and is dated 1173.
Works Cited
Knowles, Michael David.
“St. Thomas Becket.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica,
Inc., www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Thomas-Becket.
“Reliquaries.” CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: “St. Thomas Becket.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica,
Inc., www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Thomas-Becket.
Reliquaries, catholicencyclopedia.newadvent.com/cathen/12762a.htm.
What was put inside this box?
ReplyDeleteI like the images you included of the reliquary in that they indicate how much detail and craftsmanship were put into these objects, as well as emphasizing the importance of Christianity to those living in the Middle Ages. I also found it interesting how reliquaries were seen as objects of remembrance in that body parts belonging to the saints were included with the reliquaries and that people would make frequent trips to towns just to visit them. It reminds me of how other religious groups partake in similar pilgrimages to visit significant monuments, including the Muslims and how they participate in the Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca to visit the Kaaba, a sacred monument that is vital to their faith. You did a great job organizing and presenting your information and your points were easily coherent and concise.
ReplyDeleteGreat work on this post. You picked a beautiful artifact, and did an excellent job discussing this particular box, as well as the use of reliquary boxes in general.
ReplyDeleteThis reliquary stands out to me because of the images depicted on the artifact itself. I've seen few pictures of such artifacts, and this is the first I've seen to have such detailed, black and white imagery. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteNice post! The quality of the images depicted on the artifact is amazing. It's hard to believe that is from the 12th century because of the quality of the images and the attention to details. It would also be interesting to know what is the meaning of the angel depicted on the side next to Saint Thomas picture.
ReplyDelete