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Shoe Reliquary

ca. 1350–1400
Not on view
Scenes of the life of Saint Margaret decorate this case, which was probably intended to hold a foot-shaped reliquary of precious material. Near the lock plate, the saint bursts free from the body of a dragon that had swallowed her. Because she overcame the ordeal unharmed, women suffering the pains of childbirth turned to Saint Margaret in prayer; it has been suggested that the loop at the back of this case would have allowed the reliquary to be suspended over an expectant woman’s bed.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shoe Reliquary
  • Date: ca. 1350–1400
  • Culture: French or Swiss
  • Medium: Leather and Iron
  • Dimensions: 5 1/4 × 11 1/4 × 4 5/8 in. (13.3 × 28.6 × 11.7 cm)
  • Classification: Leatherwork
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1947
  • Object Number: 47.101.65
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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