ENAMEL RELIQUARY CABINET, so-called châsse,
Gothic, Limoges, 2nd half of the 13th century.
Copper, engraved and fire-gilt, and champlevé enamel in blue, white and red. Decorated with stylized tendrils and busts of angels all around. The front displaying scenes from the life of Mary. The cover crowned with 5 spheres, 2 of which are in rock crystal (possibly replaced later). The central sphere features a cross. Later lock and piercing for a key. The underside of the base with inventory number O.2 in red.
20.5 x 8 x 15.5 cm.

Gilding in part rubbed, several losses in the enamel. Key, missing. Closure part and cross, later restorations.

Provenance:
- Formerly in the Collection Ole Olsen, Copenhagen.
- Auction Winkel & Magnusson, Copenhagen, May 1953. Lot No. 72.
- By donation and inheritance, to the current owner.

Literature:
- Hermann Schmitz. General Director Ole Olsens Kunstsamlinger, Munich 1924, Vol. 1, No. 2, Illustration Fig. III.
- Winkel & Magnussen Eds. art i private Eje. p. 2, Illustration 2).
- Auction Winkel & Magnusson, Copenhagen, May 1953. Lot No. 72.

Comparative literature:
- Marie Madeleine S. Gauthier. Emaux limousines champlevés des XIIe XIIIe & XIVe siècles. Paris 1950.
- Marie-Madeleine Gauthier and Geneviève François. Medieval Enamels. Masterpieces from the Keir Collection. London 1981. No. 28, p. 25 and Ill. 28, Figure 6.