Reliquary chest made of engraved, gilded copper with champlevé enamel, cabochons and [...]

Reliquary chest made of engraved, gilded copper with champlevé enamel, cabochons and attached figurines. Limoges. France. Circa 1200 – 1250.Large chest with four affixed figures on the upper part made of gilded copper and champlevé enamel. Two of these are missing. The plaques of the façades have champlevé enamel decoration of green, red and white flowers in a turquoise triangle, surrounded by a white border. All of this is on a chequered blue enamel background. The front has been perforated for the lock. The sides are decorated with engraved figures of haloed saints, surrounded by a blue, chequered champlevé enamel background and turquoise and white edging. The upper part, made of gilded and engraved copper, has three figures attached on one side alternating with four oval glass cabochons. On the other side the central affixed figure remains, as well as three of the four cabochons. All the plaques are period originals but, in our opinion, at some point one of those that contains the figures was moved to the lid by exchanging it for a plaque which is now on the front of the chest. In this way we would have the front decorated above and below with affixed figures, and the back also uniform, with more simple decoration of enamel rhombuses, one of these with the lock. This detail does not in any way detract from this magnificent chest, as all its original plaques are preserved. The wooden core is not preserved. There are flaws and signs of soldering. A very similar chest is kept in the Museu Marés collection in Barcelona.13,5 x 10,5 x 5,5 cm.