Chasse (Shrine) of Saint Thomas Becket

This chasse contained one of Thomas Becket’s many relics, which were distributed across Europe.

From a political point of view, an accusation of the abuse of temporal power over the clergy can be seen. The reliquary depicts the martyrdom and burial of the Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered in his cathedral by the king's emissaries in 1170 and canonised in 1173. It is typical of productions by the Limousin workshops, specialising in the champlevé enamelling technique, with the Musée de Cluny holding many examples.