Metropolitan gothic pendant

Another example of wearable reliquary. The construction is very similar to the IHC reliquary I already made.

I assume this was also open-able, slide up one although I did not find information about it.

The front panel with a architectural motive of gothic windows was made with a cast. The back panel  engraved with a hunting motive - rabbit being chased by three hounds.

This is still "work in progress" project but photos already give an idea of how it will look finished.

Front and back panel of the pendant.

   

Here are also some photos of the making process. I made the wax model mostly with a "build-up" technique and then made engravings in the background. Some wax, alcohol burner, a few metal instruments and some hours is all what is needed.

 

Making the wax model of the front panel.

  And for comparison:

The original pendant from the Metropolitan Museum in New York
Material: silver, gold gilt
Dimensions: 57mm x 25mm x 7mm
Dating: late 14th century

The museum catalogue says that it got also inscriptions on the sides de Sca Barbara de Sco Giorgio [Saint Barbara Saint George] unfortunately I have no pictures or drawings of the inscriptions. That means I will not make any engraving until I obtain some more photos or before I will go for trip to New York and see it on the display myself.

If you maybe have some more photos of it please do not hesitate to contact me!

Bibliography

http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/70009893

Reliquary pendant with St. George

It has been few months already I am in to finding a making medieval wearable jewellery reliquaries.
This one with a Saint George killing the dragon was made for a commission order. 

It is a tiny piece made in gold plated silver with a rock crystal window - so the stored a precious item always would be visible.

Copy of the 15th cent pendant
Material: 925 Silver (gold plated), rock crystal

Dimensions: 16mm x 14mm x 5mm

The original piece is from the British Museum and the catalouge description says: "Gold reliquary pendant of rectangular shape, engraved with a standing figure of St. George killing the dragon within an arch on one side; on the other is a piece of crystal behind which it is likely that a piece of textile was shown."

The original pendant from British Museum
Material: gold, rock crystal
Dimensions: 16mm x 14mm

You can wear in on a chain, but there is also one nice example from 15th century of a very similar looking item on a black bead ( jet beads?) necklace.

Detail from “Salmon Is questioned by the King”. Pierre Salmon, Dialoges;

Geneva, BGE, MS fr.165, fol.7; Paris, ca.1414.

After van Buren 2011, p. 131, F82.

And some more pictures:

  

   

Bibliography
van Buren, Anna H.: Illuminating fashion. Dress in Art of Medieval France and the Netherlands, 1325-1515. New York & London 2011, p. 131, F82.

Round reliquary

This one I made after a detector find from England ( North Yorkshire, Hambleton).

After placing the relicts inside, the top piece - lid will be sealed by hammering the rim of the bottom part.

The are letters envgraved on both sides:  A/M  /  IHC  [Ave Maria / Jesus Christus]

Copy of the pendant
Material: gold plated silver
Dimensions: diameter 19mm
Dating: 14-15th century

  

And the photo of the original find:

The original reliquary
Material: silver gilt
Dimentions: diameter 19mm
Dating: 14/15th century

Bibliography

http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/211257

Leonardi from Cremone pendant reliquary

This was the very first reliquary I made and I still think that it is the one I like the most.
It was probably manufactered in Italy.
The inscription  +RELIQU / IA . SA[NCT]I . LE' / 'ONARDI . * / CREMONE*' ['Relic of St. Leonard from Cremona' Inscribed in Latin]

The relicts are stored in a drawer like construction. The inside part slided thou the ingraved one and it is secured by a rivet to keep the precious conted safe.

Copy of the reliquary pendant
Material: 925 silver
Dating: ca 1350

 

 

The riginal pendant from Victoria and Albert Museum in London - Avers
Material: silver, gold, enamel
Dimensions: 52 mm  x 10 mm x 6 mm
Dating: ca 1350

The original pendant from Victoria and Albert Museum in London - Revers

 Bibliography

 http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O18987/pendant/

IHC reliquary pendant

This one is from Scotland.
Simple silver constructed reliquary. The lid can be lift up to reveal relict stored inside.
Avers is engraved with letters IHC on a cross-hatched backgroud and revers with floral desing pattern.

Copy of the reliquary
Material: 925 silver
Dating: 15th cent

 

 

The original reliquary:

The original from the Museum of Scotland
Material: silver
Dimensions: 35mm (with loop) x 18mm x 5mm
Dating: 15th cent
After Glenn 2003, p.86, F4.

Bibliography

Glenn, Virginia: Romanesque and Gothic. Decorative metal work and ivory carvings in the Museum of Scotland. Edingburgh 2003.

Little cosmetic tool from V&A

Clean your ears with a style!
Ear cleaner and a nail pearer from 14-15th century.
A knive-shape nail cleaner with a file surface one the top and IHC engraving- on one side and a twisted handle with a earspoon on the other.
Small enouth to keep in a purse.

Copy of the ear pick and a nail cleaner with a file from the Victoria and Albert Museum
Material:   925 Silver
Dating:   15th century

  

 And some photos from a museum catalouge:

Original ear pick and a nail cleaner with a file from he Victoria and Albert Museum
Materials:    Silver
Dimensions:   6 mm x 78 mm x 5 mm
Dating:   15th century

References

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O130373/ear-pick-and/