Reliquary Casket in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, June 2010

Reliquary casket ("Emly Shrine")
late 7th–early 8th century

Place of Manufacture: Ireland

Dimensions: 9.2 x 4.1 x 10.5 cm (3 5/8 x 1 5/8 x 4 1/8 in.)

Material: Champlevé enamel on bronze over yew wood; gilt bronze moldings, inlay of lead-tin alloy

Classification: Enamels

Accession Number: 52.1396

On view in the Catalonian Chapel Gallery, in honor of I. W. Colburn - 254A

Made to hold the sacred relics of a saint (often parts of the saint’s body), Irish house-shaped reliquaries have been discovered as far away as Norway and Italy—carried there by Irish pilgrims or Viking raiders. This one, however, was found in Ireland and is named for its nineteenth century owner, Lord Emly of Limerick. It is quite tiny and was probably hung from the neck or shoulder of its owner as a source of protection and spiritual strength.

Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/reliquary-casket-emly-shri...