Reliquary of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, with the arms of Henry Benedict, Cardinal York (1725 - 1807)
About this artwork
The greatest obstacle to the Stuart dynasty's ambition to reclaim their lost thrones was their Roman Catholic faith. The people of England, Scotland and Wales were overwhelmingly Protestant, and many feared their religion and 'liberties' would be threatened by a Catholic monarch. The Stuarts nevertheless remained stubbornly loyal both to the Church and the Papacy, which had provided them refuge in Rome.
In 1747, the Stuarts' adherence to Catholicism culminated in Prince Henry Benedict's appointment as a cardinal, the beginning of a highly successful church career. The enormous wealth he derived from his church appointments is reflected in this sumptuous reliquary, designed to protect and display holy relics of St Peter and St Paul. Made of silver, gilt-bronze and rock crystal, it is an appropriately lavish personal possession for a cardinal-prince.
Updated before 2020
-
artist:
-
title:Reliquary of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, with the arms of Henry Benedict, Cardinal York (1725 - 1807)
-
date created:About 1760 - 1765
-
materials:Silver and gilt bronze with rock crystal finial, wood backing and gilt wood base
-
measurements:59.60 cm (height)
-
object type:
-
credit line:Purchased 1992
-
accession number:PG 2906
-
gallery:
