{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O102893"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O102893/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE9255/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE9255/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AE9255","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O102893/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O102893","accessionNumber":"2547-1856","objectType":"Reliquary","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This reliquary lid shows a napkin impressed with the face of Christ. According to tradition, Saint Veronica gave Christ a cloth or veil to wipe his face on his journey to be crucified.  The image which miraculously appeared was venerated as a true likeness of Christ. It was particularly important to medieval Christians as a reproduction retained the miraculous powers of the original. It was therefore often found in prints and on church metalwork. The inscription on the roundel reads 'Sca facies dei salve' (Save us O sacred face of God) and may refer to a contemporary prayer said before images of the veil of Veronica. The reliquary may originally have contained some object related to St Veronica.","physicalDescription":"Silver gilt roundel embossed in the centre with the veil of Veronica, supported by two angels with a wide border of embossed foliage. The underside is strengthened with a cross-shaped piece of metal.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Silver-gilt","id":"x37998"}],"techniques":[{"text":"Embossing","id":"AAT53826"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver-gilt, embossed","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"},{"text":"Christianity","id":"THES48978"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AE9255"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"83","id":"THES49711"},"free":"","case":"CA1","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Reliquary lid","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Germany","id":"x28873"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"mid to late 14th century","earliest":"1350-01-01","latest":"1400-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"9.30","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"1.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"11.70","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"chain","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Sca facies dei salve","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"Save us O sacred face of God","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"This piece is remarkable for the fine and expressive quality of the embossing. It is comparable to the Ecce Homo medallion on a late Gothic silver book-binding in the Reichenau treasury.","historicalContext":"Saints and Symbols\r\nLike most religions, Christianity has a rich language of images and symbols. This iconography would have been clearly understood in the past but it may be less familiar to modern eyes. \r\n\r\nThough often decorative, the symbols used on religious metalwork also refer to the function and significance of the objects. The contemplation of religious motifs can draw   believers into a deeper understanding of their faith. Complex theological themes can be represented in a visual form. A chalice, for example, might be adorned with the tools used in the Crucifixion (the 'Instruments of the Passion') to direct the viewer's mind towards Christ's sacrifice and his death on the cross.\r\n\r\nThe use of images has caused controversy throughout Christian history. While supporters held that imagery glorified God and helped believers understand their faith better, critics attacked its use as superstition and idolatry.\r\n\r\nSaints\r\nChristians venerate saints as men and women who, through the holiness of their lives, became especially close to God. The saints include martyrs who suffered and died for their faith as well as great teachers and preachers. Their lives provide an example and inspiration for the faithful. Roman Catholics also believe that saints can intercede on their behalf with God. In Christian iconography, saints are usually depicted with a distinctive object or 'attribute' associated with their martyrdom or works. For example, St Bartholomew, who was skinned alive, holds a flaying knife, and St George is shown with a dragon.","briefDescription":"Silver gilt reliquary lid embossed with the veil of Veronica. Germany, mid to late 14th century.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"Unique","id":"THES48864"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Christ","id":"N1461"}],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"Angel","id":"x30526"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":["Veil of Veronica"],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Reliquary Lid with the Face of Christ\r\nThis reliquary lid shows a napkin impressed with the face of Christ. According to tradition, St Veronica gave Christ a cloth to wipe his face as he carried his cross to Golgotha. The image that miraculously appeared (the 'vernicle') was venerated as a true likeness and reproduced in prints and on church metalwork. The vernicle was particularly important to medieval Christians as it was believed to retain the miraculous powers of the original. It was therefore often found in prints and on church metalwork. \r\n\r\nThe reliquary may originally have contained some object related to St Veronica. The Latin inscription on the lid translates as 'Save us, O sacred face of God' and may refer to a contemporary prayer said before images of the vernicle.\r\n\r\n\r\nGermany, about 1350-80\r\nSilver gilt\r\nMuseum no. 2547-1856","date":{"text":"22/11/2005","earliest":"2005-11-22","latest":"2005-11-22"}},{"text":"RELIQUARY\r\nSilver-gilt, embossed with the Vernicle\r\nGerman; 15th century","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["2547-1856"],"accessionNumberNum":"2547","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1856,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2016JF1900"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-14","recordCreationDate":"2004-08-27","availableToBook":false}}