Shoe Reliquary

Unknown

ca. 1350–1400 · Leather and Iron · The Cloisters

Scenes of the life of Saint Margaret decorate this case, which was probably intended to hold a foot-shaped reliquary of precious material. Near the lock plate, the saint bursts free from the body of a dragon that had swallowed her. Because she overcame the ordeal unharmed, women suffering the pains of childbirth turned to Saint Margaret in prayer; it has been suggested that the loop at the back of this case would have allowed the reliquary to be suspended over an expectant woman’s bed.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1350–1400

Medium

Leather and Iron

Culture

French or Swiss

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1947