Foot-Relic of Saint James the Greater
Treasury of Oignies
Origin
Priory of Oignies, Belgium
Current location
TreM.a (Musée des Arts anciens du Namurois – Treasury of Oignies)
Materials
Oak, silver, copper, gold, enamels, gemstones (topaz, sapphire, pearls, …)
Dimensions
14 x 25 cm
Date
ca. 1250
Identifier
FRB. Dépôt SAN, inv. n°TO17
History
Donated by the Sisters of Notre-Dame of Namur.
Description
Due to missing information, it cannot be asserted with certainty that this reliquary truly contains a bone of Saint James the Greater. Shaped in corporeal form—a style then very fashionable—the work postdates Brother Hugo’s production. The relic itself was likely donated by Jacques de Vitry. Of note is the depiction of the saint in low relief on the oval gilded copper plate at the top.
Source: Fondation Roi Baudouin website: Fondation Roi Baudouin