Reliquary busts of Saint Mark and Saint Teresa of Avila

Abstract

These reliquary busts depict Saint Mark and Saint Theresa of Avila. Saint Mark was an evangelist and composed the Gospel of Mark. The saint is shown wearing a golden tunic; the left side of his vestment drapes down, exposing his shoulder. His right arm is positioned over his chest as he gazes upwards. Most of the polychromy is still intact, but the sculpture is in poor condition; The saint’s left hand has been broken off. Flanking Saint Mark is a female saint, whom the Diocesan museum has identified as Saint Teresa of Avila. Born in 1515 in Avila, Spain, Teresa entered the Carmelite order in 1535 and dedicated the rest of her life to God. Throughout her life, the nun experienced several visions which brought her closer to the divine. Her spiritual efforts led her to reform the Carmelite order, which allowed her to establish other friars and convents. Teresa’s spiritual writings were also instrumental in the Counter-Reformation and inspired many devout Catholics to meditate on her relations with God. As a result, Saint Teresa of Avila was canonized in the 17th century and became a significant figure of the Counter-Reformation. She is shown wearing a habit, which is a customary garment for nuns. She is seen holding a cross; by her side is an open book balanced over a skull. At the center of both of the figures’ chests is a cavity which would have contained a relic. Relics are bodily fragments of the saint, clothing, or objects touched by the saint. Relics have been venerated and encased in elaborate reliquaries since the early Middle Ages. It is common for early medieval reliquaries to take the shape of box-like containers. These reliquaries are lifelike busts of the saints with their bones on display. The saints appears to be physically present. A question arises: should the relic or the image of the saint be revered by the faithful? These reliquary busts are part of a group of thirteen reliquaries that were enshrined in a cabinet in an unknown church. They are now located in the Museo Diocesano of Teggiano. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.