Monymusk reliquary

This portable reliquary, known as the Monymusk Reliquary, is one of Scotland's greatest treasures. It dates from around 750, and was an important object into the Middle Ages. This picture shows the front 'wall' of the reliquary.

The interlaced animals on the silver plates are picked out by a background of stippled punched marks. The technique is Pictish, paralleled on other Pictish metalwork such as some of the objects in the St. Ninian's Isle hoard.

House-shaped reliquaries are distinctively Irish in shape and decoration. The Monymusk reliquary is unique for its Pictish decoration, although it is not known whether the reliquary was actually made in Pictland - the northern half of Scotland.

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Online ID:	000-190-000-706-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.KE 14
Date:	Around 750 c. 700
Material:	Bronze, silver, wood
Dimensions:	112 mm x 51 mm x 89 mm
What:	Reliquary
Subject:	Crucifixes, reliquaries (NMAS Classification)
Who:	Abbot Bernard de Linton Grant of Monymusk St Columba
Where:	Scotland Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Monymusk Scotland, Angus, Arbroath Abbey
Event:
Description:	Monymusk Reliquary, of wood, bronze and silver decorated with intertwined animals, which may have contained a relic of St Columba, made in eastern Scotland c. 700
References:	Calder, Jenni. The wealth of a nation. Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland and Glasgow: Richard Drew Publishing, 1989, pp 26, 74 Caldwell, D.H. (ed). Angels Nobles and Unicorns: Art and Patronage in Medieval Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1982
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