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St Foy was a young girl who lived in the 3rd century; she converted to Christianity and was put to death for refusing to make sacrifices to the pagan gods. Her relics were brought to Conques in the ninth century.
The golden effigy of St Foy contained the most precious relic of her skull. This was originally kept in the sanctuary of the pilgrim church of St Foy in Conques. The pilgrims had access to the effigy (protected by an iron grille) through the ambulatory passage encircling the sanctuary.
The golden effigy shows St Foy in majesty, seated on a throne and wearing the heavenly crown of a martyr. It was largely assembled in the late tenth and early eleventh centuries, with later additions and restorations. Its wooden core is completely covered with gold leaf in which are embedded precious stones and classical cameos donated by pilgrims. The oversized head is a re-used late antique golden mask.
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