Reliquary Diptych

Unknown

late 14th century · Verre églomisé, painted and gilded wood, parchment · Medieval Art

While choir books were used in community worship, small-scale diptychs were used in private prayer. On this example, inscriptions written in red on parchment identify the tiny relics of saints. Many were Franciscan saints, and images of Saints Francis and Clare appear in the windows flanking the Crucifixion.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 14th century

Medium

Verre églomisé, painted and gilded wood, parchment

Culture

Italian

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917