Reliquary Containing a Tooth 1850 - 1900

This anonymous drawing, created sometime between 1850 and 1900, depicts a reliquary, a container for sacred relics, in the shape of a tower. The design, with its intricate detailing and ornate base, suggests a Gothic Revival style, highlighting the continued fascination with medieval architecture and art during the 19th century. The reliquary's central chamber is likely meant to hold a relic, such as a tooth, as indicated by the artwork's title. The drawing, a meticulous representation of the reliquary's structure, would have served as a blueprint for its creation or a study of existing examples. This delicate drawing is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York, offering insight into the artistic and religious practices of the 19th century.