Rock Crystal Reliquary

The destination of many pilgrims in the middle ages were reliquaries. These reliquaries usually held special remains or objects of a deceased Saint. These were typically encased in a variety of containers. Many of these reliquaries were only accessed by the viewer through a tiny hole in the design. However, there are a few reliquaries that this is not the case. In the case of a 1175-1200 reliquary is rumored to have held relics of Saints Maragret, Philip the Apostle, and Catherine and Bishop Valerius. This reliquary is being presented in a more visible way. This paper will explore the significance of encasing a reliquary in a clear, rock crystal instead of an enclosed reliquary. This will include discovering if this is a sign of wealth or status, if this is contradictory to let the common people see the reliquary and other implications this rock crystal creates