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Coconut Reliquary

Westphalia 1230/1250; Rock crystal figure: Abbasid, 10th century

Silver, gilded; coconut, polished; rock crystal

Domschatz Münster, Inv.-Nr. E.6

The coconut reliquary is presumably the oldest surviving one in Europe. The foreign origin of the material not only stands for rarity and preciousness. Since they came from the same distant lands as the early Christian saints, they simultaneously legitimized the relics contained within: alongside a relic of Paul, a total of 48 further relics.

The composition of the relic raises questions. Read more here.

Coconut reliquary, Westphalia, 1230/1250; rock crystal figure: Abbasid, 10th century; Münster Cathedral Treasury, Inv. No. E.6; photo: Dr. Michael Reuter.
Coconut reliquary, Westphalia, 1230/1250; rock crystal figure: Abbasid, 10th century; Münster Cathedral Treasury, Inv. No. E.6; photo: Dr. Michael Reuter.