Teach with Collections: Reliquary

This house-shaped reliquary was made in Limoges, a center that produced and shipped enamel work throughout Europe in the twelfth through fourteenth centuries. It shows the Stoning of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. In the champlevé enamel technique, the copper support is hollowed out and glass powder is placed in the indentation. Upon firing it melts and forms fields of color. A reliquary like this would have been displayed in a parish church.

Conversation prompts This reliquary was meant to contain some of the physical remains of Saint Stephen. How would you relate the scenes depicted on the exterior of this artifact to its function?

Describe the materials, colors, and craftsmanship of this piece.