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Secondary sourceArtifact1929

Reliquary Shrine of Saint Hildegard

1929

A gilded 1929 reliquary shrine made to hold the relics of Hildegard of Bingen at Eibingen.

This shrine was made to hold Hildegard's relics, showing the lasting veneration of her as a saint.

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A gilded reliquary shrine behind glass, shaped like a house with a pitched roof. Its front has an inscription band, enamel-inlaid pilasters, relief figures of saints under arches, and four small framed panels with jewel-like stones. Its base has colored gemstones.
Reliquary shrine of Saint Hildegard, Eibingen, 1929.

About this source

What it is

This is a gilded reliquary shrine made in 1929 to hold the relics of Saint Hildegard of Bingen. It is shaped like a small house with a pitched roof and is decorated with an inscription band, enamel-inlaid pilasters, relief figures of saints, and small panels set with jewel-like stones.

Why it matters

The shrine was not made during Hildegard's lifetime but centuries later, showing how her memory was honoured as a saint long after her death. It reflects the continuing tradition of veneration around her and the craftsmanship devoted to preserving her relics.

Look closer

  • Why might people in 1929 want to make a new, elaborate shrine for a medieval saint?
  • What do the materials used, like gold and gemstones, suggest about how important Hildegard was considered?
  • How does this object differ from the kinds of things Hildegard herself might have owned?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Hildegard of Bingen on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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