The Holy Thorn Reliquary (detail)

This close-up of the Holy Thorn Reliquary (c. 1400) shows Christ enthroned in glory, surrounded by rays of gilt gold, pearls, and large colored gems. Angels lift Him and gesture toward the sacred thorn once housed in the reliquary’s upper chamber. Crafted in enamelled gold for Jean, duc de Berry, the reliquary was made to honor a thorn believed to come from Christ’s Crown of Thorns, a revered French royal relic symbolizing devotion and dynastic piety.