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"Reliquary Casket with Scenes from the Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket"

Artist: Unkown

Dimensions: 5.5x7x4.7cm 

Medium: gilded silver, niello, and a glass cabochon set over a tinted foil

Date: ca. 1173-80

A reliquary casket holds relics, the physical remains of a holy person (in this case, Saint Thomas Becket) or an object he had contact with. Traditionally relics and reliquary caskets are seen deep within Christianity. These pieces of artwork were seen literally as a connection between life and death and in this art, man and saint. This piece represented a holding place for Saint Thomas Beckett, a martyred English Saint. From 1162-1170 he was the archbishop of Canterbury. He was killed by four knights in King Henry II's court on December 29, 1170 due to an argument over the separation of monarch and church rights. This artwork is one of the earliest objects that honor Saint Thomas Beckett made around 1173 in Great Britain right after this event. 

This art is a visual representation of the Saint's martyrdom as he is killed fighting for religious "rights." The materials of the piece hold significance through the way the artist viewed Saint Thomas. By using the gilded silver, the piece took time and patience to carve. It also was an expense to make. The niello provided the black powder to fill the engraved channels and emphasize the scenes the artist engraved on the reliquary casket. Although black was the only color of the powder, by making the choice to cover up the metal shine with it, it dampens the beauty of the piece. The dark colors bring in a mood of great contrast to the metallic. This represents visually how the Knight's killed the Saint, the "beautiful" Saint. 

On the long side of the artwork, Saint Thomas Beckett's attack by the four Knight's is documented. While above it, an angel blesses the fight. This choice by the artist depicts that the attack was almost a blessing by God. The attack was willed because Saint Thomas had to be a martyr for his faith. In this time, this depiction takes back the power from the monarch, and gives it to the church. Instead of seeing it as a loss, the people of this faith would have seen it as the acting will of God. Furthermore, it comments on who is truly in power in the minds of some-- that some believe God and the church come before the King. This plays into themes going on during the time between religion and the monarchy. 

On the other long side, an angel holds the Saint's body, after he dies within the attack. The part of the piece pulls into the connection of life and death by representing the Saint's descent to Heaven and "better things." Through having the angel on top of the artwork again, the artist is making the religious aspects superior through literally being above the other parts. Meaning, that the actions of the angel are above those of the mortals and in that sense, a will of something greater. The texture created through the etching and powder also create ornate details and texture, The more fancy the box, with the more details and ornaments, the more the artist is showing respect to the Saint. Here, the artist is continuing to honor Saint Thomas and side with what he died fighting for.

The inscription on the reliquary casket states in Latin, "Saint Thomas is killed" and "The blood of Saint Thomas is inside." The artwork has a literal use, of holding Saint Thomas's blood as well. This function of the piece literally symbolizes the Saint's importance and how much his actions were valued by others. Also, connecting to the ultimate martyr of Jesus and how he shed his blood as well. The shape of the box is the traditional shape of a reliquary casket. However, it is important to note that it points upwards in a triangle, as if to the sky or heaven. The red jewel also helps symbolize the "blood" that lies in side while also adding another expensive label on the art piece. Having it on top helps the artist communicate the Saint's rise to Heaven and the top tier of the pyramid because he did the most righteous, honorable deed for his faith.

My Observational Sketch: