Reliquary

The precious remains of a saint—or relics—were housed in this equally precious box—a seventh-century reliquary. Most of the decorative elements of the box—cloisonné enamel (bits of enamel framed by metal), garnets, and glass gems laid out in an abstract pattern—were drawn from barbarian artistic motifs. The pearls, however, form crosses that make clear the Christian purpose of the box. Right in the center, the maker put a cameo (or perhaps an imitation cameo) that was meant to recall Roman silhouettes, as if there were no contradiction between barbarian abstract styles and Roman forms. Like Gregory of Tours calling Clovis “Augustus,” the maker of this box considered a Roman-type element to be a perfect complement to his otherwise geometrical design. (Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY.)