Reliquary of Saints Maxius, Lucius, Julius

Reliquary of Saints Lucius, 
Maxius and Julius
Paris, shortly after 1261
Gilded silver
H. 0.196 m; W. 0.135 m; D. 0.029 m
Sainte-Chapelle de Paris treasure
Cl. 10746

This precious little reliquary was destined to contain a few little parts of the bodies of the three saints venerated at Beauvais. According to the Golden Legend, Lucius, one of the first bishops of this city, and his two deacons Maxius and Julius, despite being all three decapitated, miraculously hold their heads, just like the bishop of Paris and his two companions, Denis, Rustic and Eleuther. This reliquary, executed for the newly constructed Parisian Sainte-Chapelle at the heart of the Royal Palace, is one of the very rare treasure objects to be preserved. Its structure, in the form of a miniature chapel, irresistably evokes the Sainte-Chapelle. The simplicity of form and fineness of the engraving produce a sombre and monumental effect.