© V&A Picture Library
The Becket Casket
Artist: Limoges
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum
Date: circa 1180
Materials: gilt-copper, rock crystal, enamel, oak
Dimensions: 30.5 x 29.9 x 11.4cm
Grant:
Amount Paid: £100,000 (Total: £4,286,038)
Vendor: Sotheby's
Review number: 4328 (1996)
Provenance:
Private collection, St.Neots; Robert Pulleyn of St. Neots; Sir J.Cotton; Dr.W.Stukeley; Gustavus Brander; Thomas Astle; by descent to Major H. Chase- Meredith; Daguerre, Paris; Charles Ratton, Paris; British Rail Pension Fund.
Description:
This casket is probably the earliest, largest and finest example of Limoges enamel depicting Becket's martyrdom. Thomas Becket was murdered by four knights in the service of King Henry II who broke into Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. The murder is shown on the front, which also portrays the haloed soul of the saint being carried away above the altar. The sloping roof depicts the burial of the saint and the ascent of his haloed body to heaven. The back of the casket depicts four saints or cardinal virtues, and on one side Christ in Majesty is seated on a rainbow. The casket was possibly made to contain relics of the saint. The casket was acquired for the nation after a vigorous campaign in which The Art Fund played a crucial role.
There are no comments on this artwork
To add comments please login or register.
The Art Fund may edit your comments and not all comments will be published. The Art Fund cannot be help responsible for views expressed by visitors of this website.