Objekt 3151
Reliquary Bust of Saint Ursula
Description
The skull of Saint Ursula together with the relics of the 11,000 Virgins martyred alongside her were brought to Basel from Cologne in 1254. This reliquary bust is thought to have been made in 1326, when Canon Jacob von Gebwiler donated the Chapel of the 11,000 Virgins in Basel Cathedral. The relics inside can be viewed by opening the rectangular door in the crown.
Head: gilded silver
Supporting collar: gilded copper
Eyes: silver, enamel
Neckline and diadem: translucent enamel, glass
Object description
Basel (?), early 14th cent.
1955.207.
Purchased with contributions from the people of Basel (the “UrsulaSpende”) and the Verein für das HMB, and with a grant from the Federal Government