UNKNOWN GOLDSMITH, Italian
(active 1460s in Venice)

Reliquary of Cardinal Bessarion

1460s
Wood, silver, gilt filigree work, enamels
Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice

This splendid example of goldsmith's work was donated to the Scuola Grande della Carità in 1463 by Cardinal Bessarion. It has four chambers made of rock crystal containing relics of the True Cross and Christ's robe, set in a frame with enamels depicting scenes of the Passion. The central panel is a movable grid.