Zwei Reliquienbüsten
Two Reliquary Busts
Kunstpalast - Horst Kolberg/ARTOTHEK

Two Reliquary Busts, ca. 1370–1380

MediumLime, minor additions at the bases, polychromy on gesso in part original, in part supplemented in more recent times
Allgemein33 × 25 cm
Place of originBohemia
Status
on display, room 001
About the workA lock of hair, a finger bone or an entire skull: during the Middle Ages, the mortal remains of saints – but also emperors and popes – were preserved in elaborate receptacles and venerated as intermediaries to the Kingdom of God. The round openings in the chests of the pair of busts shown here were used to hold these spiritual objects. The veneration of relics continues in many religions today. In the Middle Ages, however, it played an exceptional role: the starting point for many cathedral buildings was the possession of a particularly precious relic.
AccessionAcquired by exchange 1934
Provenance[...]; 15.7.1934 erworben durch Tausch von Frau Dr. Margaret Burg (1894 - 1958), Haarlem, Ehefrau des Kunsthändlers Dr. Hermann Burg (Essen 29.1.1878- 27.9.1946 London), Inhaber der Galerie Dr. Burg (vor 1919 Rottach am Tegernsee, ab 1919 Köln, ab 1928 Dr. Burg & Co. GmbH, Berlin, ab Juli 1932 Haarlem, spät. 1938 Emigration nach London)
Inventory numberP 1934-11-12
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