The Holy Thorn Reliquary

The Holy Thorn Reliquary, 1390-97 (created for Jean, duc de Berry), enameled gold, sapphires, rubies, pearls, rock crystal, thorn, 30.5 x 15 x 7 cm (The British Museum)
speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker

[@curiousworld7912]

I'm amazed by the craftsmanship and artistry that went into making this exquisite reliquary. Thank you for your narrative history and description. :)

[@catimify]

You guys are great 👍 So clear, scholarly, friendly, respectful. We appreciate you 🙏

[@abbyzoetewey538]

The craftsmanship here is insane I can’t imagine the hours that went into producing this.

[@martijnkeisers5900]

Truly amazing craftsmanship and an object that has even more impact during Lent.

[@janeknight3597]

Your presentation is actually better than seeing the real thing🙂 I shall make an effort to go and find it next time I am in the museum. Thank you.

[@marthavillegas6250]

Thank you for showing to mere mortals like me this wonderful piece of art. I love your videos, your knowledge, your voices, everything! Thank you.

[@michaelhealy1590]

Another perfectly presented narrative. Thank you again.

[@CheifR0cka]

I've been obsessed by your channel ever since I found it. So much beauty.

[@Sasha0927]

Big G was a showstopper in this one! I wasn't expecting His cameo, but there He was looking magnificent~ For Him alone, this would be worth admiring as a work of art with spiritual implications / significance. ❤ The details about the technical expertise that went into this make it all the more impressive. I also really enjoyed the casting call of saints surrounding Christ. Another Smarthistory banger. 🙃

[@DarkandWeird]

I keep trying to wipe the dust off my screen while the close-ups of the window are on screen, LOL. What a fantastic piece. Thank you for sharing this.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Ha! Photographing for this video was quite a challenge. Thanks for reaching out.

[@saayamsingh3620]

Beautiful reliquiary.

[@NolanFriedline]

Stunning!

[@araucariapasquale1]

What incredible exposition. Thank you.

[@RealSalica]

I am facinated by the craftmanship .

[@europaarte-jaimedonega437]

Absolutely amazing! Thank you for such explanation.

[@Paul9443]

This is a masterpiece! And if you ask me, adequate for the dignity of the holy relic. 🙂

[@user-jv8ht9wg9r]

Reliquary is breath taking imagine using so many resources at the time to house an article that is the equivalent to a twig, humanity has a long way to go.

[@claramcewen5938]

I have lived long enough that my neighbors disbelief does not diminish my belief. Viva old age!😊

[@liam9307]

2nd Timothy 4: 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

[@Mrs.IndiYoung]

Amen!

[@kerryrwalton7791]

Wonderful presentation! How did it end up in the UK in a museum no less.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

That is quite a story. It seems to have gone from Jean, duc de Berry to the Treasury of the Emperor Charles V and then the Hapsburg treasury in Vienna. Baron Anselm von Rothschild had it in the 19th century and then his son, Ferdinand Rothschild, left it to the British Museum as part of the "Waddesdon Bequest" not knowing what it was (and further confused because there is a copy in Austria).

[@Theodisc]

Thank you two at SH. As ever your combined erudite and complementary narrative is _un vrai délice_ to take in and learn from. Btw, Wikipedia has an image on this relic's page therein which shows the back of this artifact which I'm thinking you couldn't feature herein due to how the BM displays this _objet_ in situ. 💙🧿

[@moniccastar011]

very interesting as per usual, can you talk about the reliquaries in the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua in Italy?

[@smarthistoryvideos]

We do have a video on one of Donatello's reliefs in Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ6XfqOlZtSrprc and about his sculpture of Gattamelata just outside the church: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJW6eYN-erF2gbc

[@kerryrwalton7791]

Thank you for the thoughtful and thought provoking reply! Did the copy also have a thorn? It makes sense that the Rothschilds as collectors would not understand its use but admire its great and intricate beauty. The Waddesdon Bequest is an amazing and generous gift to the UK. I hope you explore more objects from this collection.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

I don't know much about the replica, but the Waddesdon Bequest is remarkable and I remember particularly the boxwood carvings, especially the tabernacle www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_WB-233

[@carlito876]

Why wouldn’t the rothchild’s understand and appreciate the spiritual meaning behind this reliquary? One does not need to be christian to grasp its significance to believers. I am sure the rothchilds were and are educated and highly aware collectors.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Yes, of course. You can read an in depth discussion here: wb.britishmuseum.org/MCN341#1612985526 Be sure to scroll down to the "detailed curatorial notes."

[@kerryrwalton7791]

Yes you are right I guess I meant it ironically! They were highly educated and enlightened collectors and often assisted popes financially@@carlito876​

[@MrMorbitzer]

How did this get to the British Museum?

[@smarthistoryvideos]

It was a gift.

[@akamal92]

The title makes it sound like a relic from Warhammer 40k.

[@random22026]

0:54 to 1:21 1:39 Goldberry 1:48 1:53 2:10 2:20 Major Arcana XX Judgement. 4:04 4:06 4:17 4:33 4:51 4:54 4:58 5:02 5:02 5:07 to 5:33 6:06 6:28

[@theoldar]

Allegedly. If you believe that's the real crown of thorns, I have some ocean-front property in Idaho I would like to sell you.

[@FrJohnBrownSJ]

Never let your appreciation of art get in the way of letting everyone know how incredibly rational you are.

[@theoldar]

@@FrJohnBrownSJ Relisten to the audio. They sound incredibly credulous as far as the thorn is concerned. A small reality check was warranted. And I am a retired history professor, so yes, the credulity is an issue for me.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

You have misunderstood our efforts to relate the cultural traditions in which the work was made and understood and our respect for those who continue that tradition of belief. Art is a powerful tool to understand others across time and place, but this requires respect for histories and beliefs that may differ from our own whether it is Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, or even a system that is no longer practiced.

[@2degucitas]

​@@smarthistoryvideos Doubting the authenticity of the actual thorn doesn't insult your efforts to produce this video, or belittle the art of the reliquary. Doubt and awe can exist simultaneously.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Doubt and awe can indeed co-exist. We were responding to the accusation of being credulous.

[@michaelryan4759]

I want to know why this is in a secular museum and not in a church.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

I don't think it was ever in a church. It was in royal and then private collections until it was donated to the British Museum.

[@ThomasOutt]

King Charles should personally restore it to the Eldest Daughter of the Church, France.

[@katherinenyberg7891]

For non believers to see maybe?

[@user-jv8ht9wg9r]

we have now seen it, and we still don't believe @@katherinenyberg7891