Reliquary of Saint Christopher and Saint Barbara
Artist:
Unknown
Place made:Mexico
Date: 18th century
Medium: Glass, bone, paint, and silver
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by the Friends of Latin American Art
Object number: 96.42
Label Text
Although referred to as "reliquaries," very few of these eighteenth and nineteenth century objects ever contained relics of saints. Instead, they were used to express continuing devotion to a particular saint or to show thanks for a favor received. Here, a devotee has shown allegiance to two saints. On one side, we find an image of Saint Christopher, patron saint of travelers, carrying the Christ Child across the river. On the reverse, we see a representation of Saint Barbara, patron of firefighters and fusiliers, standing next to the tower in which she was imprisoned.
(Marion Oettinger)
(Marion Oettinger)
Not on view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
