Goldsmith object shaped like a house with enameled scenes on its faces. Visible face (front): the death of Thomas Becket.

Chasse (Shrine) of Saint Thomas Becket, Cl. 23296 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Goldsmith object shaped like a house with enameled geometric patterns. Front view.

Chasse (Shrine) of Saint Thomas Becket, Cl. 23296 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Enamel and engraved plaque depicting three figures leaning over a deceased person. Front view.

Chasse (Shrine) of Saint Thomas Becket, Cl. 23296 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Chasse (Shrine) of Saint Thomas Becket

Description

On display - room 6

12th century - 13th century

High Middle Ages

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.
 

From one artwork to another

Sculpted and fragmented head depicting a man with curly beard wearing a hat. Front-facing stone sculpture.

Head of the king of Judah No. 6, Notre-Dame de Paris, Cl. 22988 © GrandPalaisRmn / René-Gabriel Ojeda

Heads of the kings of Judah

First half of the 13th century