Images of Medieval Art and Architecture

The Treasure of Saint Denis

"Vase of Saint Eloi"

Images

Félibien's engraving	Extant Object
Adapted from Félibien, Plate IV, Item CC	Paris, Bibliotheque national, 374.

Texts

Description

Another goldola made of jade whose mounting is of enameled gold.

Félibien, pages 543. Translated by Jane Vadnal.

Description by Abbot Suger

We also offered to the blessed Denis, along with some flowers from the empress' crown, another very precious vessel of praise, carved in the form of a boat, which King Louis, son of Philip, had left in pawn for nearly ten years. When it was offered for our inspection, we had purchased it with the king's permission for sixty marks of silver. This vessel, marvelous for both the quality and the quantity of its precious stones, it decorated with verroterie cloisonné work by St. Eloi and is considered by all goldsmiths to be very precious.

Abbot Suger, De Administratione, XXXIVA. Translated by Dr. David Burr, of the History Department of Vorginia Tech, and reproduced here with his kind permission.

Subsequent History

• Set aside for the Cabinet des Antiques, September 30, 1791
• Stolen in 1804.
• A vessel was recovered without its mounting, but there was some controversy about whether this is the vase or not.

Notes

Bowl

• Made of green adventurine
• Height 5.8 cm, length, 22.7 cm. width, 8.5 cm..

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Comparative material

Click here to see other liturgical vessels in the Treasure of Saint-Denis.

Bibliography

Conway (1915), pp. 126-7. Click here for text.

Félibien, page 543.

Louvre, no. 23, pp. 152-5.

Metropolitan, no. 23, p. 106.

Montesquiou-Fezensac, I and II, no. 74., III p 60-1, pl 45..

FÉLIBIEN PLATE IV	SAINT-DENIS TREASURES	SAINT-DENIS MAIN PAGE	FRANCE	INTRODUCTION