16th century gold reliquary

Photo: North Lincolnshire Museum CC By SA2.0
Object type: Reliquary
Period: Post Medieval
Primary material: Gold
Date found: 25/03/2022
Location: Winteringham

Description

A lozenge shaped gold reliquary box. Given its age, it is now going through the Treasure process.

The PAS record cites the example of the Middleham jewel as indicating that the lozenge shape was deemed appropriate to sacred objects.

Middleham jewel

The Middleham jewel was found by detectorist Ted Seaton in 1985 near Middleham Castle, the northern home of Richard III.

Photo: Yorkshire Museum, CC BY-SA 4.0

It has been dated to the late 15th-century and is thought to have belonged to a close relative of Richard III.

Each side of the lozenge-shaped pendant is engraved with a religious scene.

 It was acquired by the Yorkshire Museum for £2.5 million and forms part of their permanent collection.