Set of Six Reliquary Vessels: Beautiful and Practical Too!

Our 2017 Ruantallan Baronial Investiture event included an Arts and Sciences challenge for the populace to create something using our new populace badge.  Always up for a challenge, this is what I created:

Set of Six Reliquary Vessels:

Purpose:  To store modern useful items a lady would need on hand, disguised as reliquary vessels on an alter or lady’s dressing table.

Ruantallan Populace Badge:    The common design element appearing on each vessel to make a set of 6.

For reference, here is the Ruantallan populace badge:

And this is what I did!

Relics, being precious belongings or small body parts of Saints collected by pious individuals in the Middle Ages, were extremely valuable and therefore required enshrinement in the most beautiful and precious vessels themselves.  Reliquaries, the containers used to store and display relics, were  fashioned in gold and silver and  decorated with gems, ivory and enamel.  The shapes of reliquaries could be as elaborate as to take the form of the model of a church with a pitched roof, also known as chasses , mimic the shape of the contents therein, appear transparent in order to exhibit the contents or simply be a small canister or pendant.  Reliquaries were displayed upon personal alters but were also portable to be carried by or even worn by the owner.  I used objects from around my home or purchased for a small amount of money, then spray-painted in gold, decorated with “gems”, painted with different designs to mimic enamel, and  lined with fabric if necessary  The common design is the Ruantallan populace badge appearing on each container.  My plan is to use them at Pennsic to store modern items I would like close at hand but disguised as relics on my dressing table.

Reliquary #1:

Inspiration:  Flatimid Flask Reliquary, 11^th-14^th century.  The British Museum, London.

Mundane Object to Disguise:  Tube of lipstick.

  

My Personal Reliquary and "Relic" Inside:  Decorative Vial:  Said to contain the kiss of Saint Rose of Lima, known for her exceptional beauty.

Reliquary #2:

Inspiration:  Reliquary Pendant, French, 15^th century.  The Met.

Mundane Object to Disguise:  Pill box purchase from a dollar store.  Used to store pain relievers...or even breath mints!

My Personal Reliquary and "Relic" Inside:  Small Circular Canister/Pendant:  Said to contain the tears of Saint Lidwina, Patron Saint for those suffering chronic pain.

Reliquary #3:

Inspiration: Reliquary Pendant.  The British Museum, London.

Mundane Object to Disguise:  Empty clear cosmetic canister.  To display a special object, such as my first Pennsic site token.

My Personal Reliquary and "Relic" Inside:  Clear Bejewelled Tin:  Beholds a medallion, found on the ancient battlefields of Pennsic, which is said to have belonged to Saint Michael the Archangel, Patron Saint of the warrior.

Reliquary #4:

Inspiration:   Reliquary of Thomas Becket by Master Alpais, c. 1180-90.  V & Albert Museum.

Mundane Object to Disguise:  One of a set of 3 nesting gift boxes found at the thrift store.  This one is the large size.  It contains various first aid objects such as bandages, tape and scissors.

My Personal Reliquary and "Relic" Inside:  Large Decorative Chasse:  Relics include the healing instruments of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, known for her medicinal texts and as the founder of scientific natural history.

Reliquary #5:

Inspiration:  Limoges copper gilt over wood ca 1200-1210 

Mundane Object to Disguise:  The second of 3 nesting gift boxes in a small size.  The perfect size for a container of dental floss.

My Personal Reliquary and "Relic" Inside:  Small Decorative Chasse:  The relic housed in this box is the relic of Saint Apollonia, Patron Saint of dentistry and those suffering from toothache.

Reliquary #6:

Inspiration:   Reliquary of Saint Stephen.   Kunsthistorisches Museum, Schatzkammer, Vienna, Austria.

Mundane Object to Disguise:  The third of 3 nesting gift boxes in a small size.  Contains a sanitary napkin and a tea bag.

My Personal Reliquary and "Relic" Inside:  Small Bejewelled Chasse:  Feminine healing relics belonging to Saint Catherine of Sweden, known for her healing counsel and women who have suffered miscarriage.

Set on a beautiful "golden" tray lined with blue "velvet"...

No one would ever know the secrets they behold!

Information Source:

1.        Boehm, Barbara Drake. “Relics and Reliquaries in Medieval Christianity.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/relc/hd_relc.htm (originally published October 2001, last revised April 2011)

Photo Sources:

1.        Flatimid Flask Reliquary, 11^th-14^th century.  The British Museum, London.  Accessed online:  http://www.learn.columbia.edu/treasuresofheaven/relics/Fatimid-Flask-Reliquary.php

2.       Reliquary Pendant, French, 15^th century.  The Met.   Accessed online:  https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/464782?rpp=60&pg=41&ft=jewelry+1500+europe&when=A.D.+1400-1600&what=Metal&pos=2422

3.       Reliquary of Thomas Becket by Master Alpais, c. 1180-90.  Victoria and Alb ert Museum, accessed online: https://thirteenthcenturyengland.wordpress.com/2012/07/07/the-translation-of-thomas-becket/master-alpais-reliquary-of-thomas-becket-1/

4.       Reliquary of Thomas Becket by Master Alpais, c. 1180-90.  Victoria and Alb ert Museum, accessed online: https://thirteenthcenturyengland.wordpress.com/2012/07/07/the-translation-of-thomas-becket/master-alpais-reliquary-of-thomas-becket-1/

5.       Limoges copper gilt over wood ca 1200-1210  Accessed online:  http://www.learn.columbia.edu/treasuresofheaven/relics/Reliquary-Chasse-with-the-Holy-Women-at-the-Tomb.php

6.       Reliquary of Saint Stephen.   Kunsthistorisches Museum, Schatzkammer, Vienna, Austria.  Accessed online: http://www.lessingimages.com/viewimage.asp?cr=62&i=30010211+&d=3&p=1&a=d&hr=0