Shrine of Saint Patrick's Gospels
A silver box carved in relief with Christ on the cross and saints: an early 20th-century replica of a late 11th-century Irish gospel shrine. Full commentary ↓
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Shrine of Saint Patrick's Gospels is a stone object by an unknown maker (early 20th century (original dated 1080–1100)) in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It measures 16.8 × 10.2 × 22.7 cm.
In the pictureThe front of a silvery box is covered in relief. In the center is Christ on the cross, saints line up in compartments on either side and above, and blue enamel decoration and gems are set here and there. Figures and patterns are also carved on the lid at the top.
BackgroundThe Shrine of Saint Patrick's Gospels, made in 1080–1100, is a leading Irish reliquary, and the original is in Dublin. This replica copies the original's reliefs and enamels faithfully, so the composition of Irish Romanesque metalwork can be seen at a glance. Carving the cross and saints over the whole box expresses a faith that venerated the gospel book itself as a relic.
Puzzle tipPlace the piece with Christ on the cross in the center first, then set up the framework with the compartment borders of the saints on either side. The blue enamel pieces have color and show where they go, and the silvery relief pieces are filled in by the silhouettes of the figures. 100 pieces is about right.
- Culture
- Irish
- Classification
- Reproductions-Metalwork
- Medium
- Bronze, gilded bronze, enamel and gem stones
- Dimensions
- 16.8 x 10.2 x 22.7 cm
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1908
Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art ↗
Stories about this work
- Why Did the Museum Buy Reproductions of Irish Reliquaries?
The Irish shrines and croziers on this site are not originals but reproductions made in the early 20th century. Why reproductions entered the museum, and tips for solving them as puzzles.
