Reliquary Casket Depicting Scenes from the Life of St Valeria

The reliquary casket bearing scenes from the life of Saint Valeria is a masterpiece of Limoges enamel in the Hermitage. Valeria (or Valerie) is believed to have been an important heiress in the region of Aquitaine during the Roman era who converted to Christianity. She was beheaded for refusing to marry a high official involved in the persecution of her faith. However, supported by the “Hand of God”, Valeria snatched up her severed head and brought it to the altar where her mentor Saint Martial was celebrating mass. Different episodes of this story intertwine upon a gold ground to form a wonderful pattern in which the lithe, graceful figure of Valeria in her bright blue clothing strewn with gold stars is repeated several times. The casket was made to a commission from Eleanor of Aquitaine, the wife of King Henry II of England, on the occasion of the mystical betrothal of her son, Richard the Lionheart, to Valeria of Limoges, a patron saint of the Duchy of Aquitaine.