Artwork Page for Chasse

Details / Information for Chasse

Chasse

c. 1225–50

France, Limousin, Limoges, Gothic period, 13th century

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Medium
copper: repoussé, engraved, stippled, and gilded; champlevé enamel; oak core
Measurements
Overall: 24.7 x 24.2 x 10.4 cm (9 3/4 x 9 1/2 x 4 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of S. Livingstone Mather, Constance Mather Bishop, Philip R. Mather, Katherine Hoyt Cross, and Katherine Mather McLean in accordance with the wishes of Samuel Mather 1940.347
Public Domain
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Location
106C Medieval Treasury
Print

Description

A chasse is a container with a pyramid-shaped roof that once served as a shrine for sacred relics. During the medieval period, chasses like this one were placed on church altars during high feast days to allow the faithful to venerate their sacred contents. The chasse’s design and imagery follow a common formula with Christ’s Crucifixion and Majesty decorating the central fields of its principal face. The back consists of two panels with identical decoration. Each features three busts of angels inscribed in medallions. Of the chasse’s lateral sides, only one is preserved in its original state, decorated with the figure of an imposing angel emerging from a bank of clouds. Here, the dark blue enamel background shows an even greater variety of rosettes and other decorative motifs, all engraved, stippled, and gilded like the ones on the other sides
An ornate, house-shaped reliquary features gilded copper figures against a deep blue enamel background. On the lower front, the Crucifixion on a green cross is flanked by haloed saints in arched niches. The sloping roof shows Christ in Majesty within a circular frame. Multi-colored floral patterns decorate the panels throughout. An openwork crest with rock crystal spheres runs along the top ridge. This box stands on four square, golden legs.

Chasse

c. 1225–50

France, Limousin, Limoges, Gothic period, 13th century

See Also

  • Collection
    Medieval Gothic
  • Department
    Medieval Art
  • Type of artwork
    Enamel
  • Medium
    Copper
  • Credit line
    Gift of S. Livingstone Mather, Constance Mather Bishop, Philip R. Mather, Katherine Hoyt Cross, and Katherine Mather Mclean In Accordance With the Wishes of Samuel Mather

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