Reliquary bust of Saint Mabille

The woman shown here as a bust is Saint Mabille, who can be identified by the inscription stamped on her chest. In Christian tradition, Mabille is one of the 11,000 virgins who shared the martyrdom of Saint Ursula. 

The bust, which stops just below the shoulders, rests on alternating trilobed arcades with cabochons. 

At the back of the top of the skull, there is a compartment that houses a relic of the saint's skull. This is called a reliquary bust.

Saint Mabille is wearing a golden garment adorned with a orphrey. Her high forehead is framed by braids. She turns her head slightly to the left while lifting her eyes.

Her solemn expression reflects her martyrdom. Mabille is one of the 11,000 young virgin women who accompanied the Breton princess Ursula on her pilgrimage. During the journey, they were captured by the Huns in Cologne. When Ursula refused to marry their leader, the princess was massacred with her followers.

The depiction of Saint Mabille’s face, with her straight nose, arched eyebrows, and hair forming a perfect oval, corresponds to the stylistic characteristics of mid-14th century works from Siena. This bust is attributed to the sculptor Angelo di Nalduccio. 

All of the sculpture is enhanced by fine polychromy. This is largely original, except for the skin, which has been repainted at a later date but remains close to the original condition. The vibrancy of the colours enhances the understanding of the illusionistic quality sought in reliquary busts. 

The Musée de Cluny has another example of a reliquary bust linked to the martyrdom of the 11,000 virgins, which is more or less contemporary but from Cologne (Germany).