Golden pendant adorned with vegetal motifs; at the center, an enamel scene depicts a woman holding a candle. Front view.

Reliquary tableau: Saint Genevieve, Cl. 23314 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Golden pendant with a central gilded metal plaque engraved with vegetal motifs. Front view.

Reliquary tableau: Saint Genevieve © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Golden pendant with central compartments containing relics. Front view.

Reliquary tableau: Saint Genevieve, Cl. 23314 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Golden pendant with central compartments containing relics. Front view.

Reliquary tableau: Saint Genevieve, Cl. 23314 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Reliquary tableau: Saint Genevieve

Description

On display - room 12

14th century

Late Middle Ages

This reliquary pendant, made in Paris around 1380-1390, contained about fifty relics, including a fragment of the True Cross and a relic of Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. It represents the famous scene in which an angel relights the candle that a demon has just put out.

This work, which combines subtlety, refinement and elegance, is believed to have belonged to Madame de Maintenon, who is said to have received it from King Louis XIV.

The goldsmith’s work is incredibly fine and combines the most subtle goldsmithery techniques of the time: translucent enamels on basse-taille and fine "punched" chasing.
 

From one artwork to another

Lead object: boat with an inscription on the sail carrying a Virgin and Child. Front view.

Pilgrimage badge, Notre-Dame, Cl. 4697 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century

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Embroidered fabric depicting a recumbent figure on the ground, surrounded by three women. Front view.

Alms pouch, wild man, Cl. 13533 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Alms pouch

Circa 1340-1350