Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Mastery of Design: An Enameled Finial, c. 1200

Finial from a reliquary
German, c. 1200
The Victoria & Albert Museum



This enameled finial of gilt copper boasts cast forms of leaves and fruit which frame its six teardrop-shaped enamel plaques. This adornment would have been made to be fitted at the top of a shrine or reliquary meant to hold the relics of a saint. When made, this probably glittered with jewels or crystals as well.

The piece was made in Germany at the start of the Thirteenth Century. 





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