There are customers who are so wonderfully and pleasantly uncompromising in their passion and perfectionism that the collaboration with them and, above all, the result of these joint efforts ultimately leads to truly extraordinary and unique objects. This is also the case with our regular customer this year, who has a particularly elaborate carnival costume for his appearances as “King Lionheart”. from us This is where the hitherto little-known “Reliquary Cross of Valasse” comes into play:
For his costume coat as “King Lionheart”, our customer had a very experienced tailor make an elaborate hand-embroidered copy of the so-called “reliquary cross of Valasse“. Based on the original, a selection of real gemstones will also be sewn onto it – a job that we accepted with great joy and gratitude.
The Valasse reliquary cross, named after a former Cistercian abbey in Seine-Maritime in France, is kept in Museum of Antiquities in Rouen and is one of the most famous jewels of medieval Normandy. Adorned with precious stones and filigree, it is the setting for a supposed relic of the True Cross, the holiest of all Christian relics. The reverence shown to this reliquary, but also the memory of the prestigious Plantagenet dynasty with which it seems to be linked, has certainly enabled this treasure of 12th century goldsmithing to come down to us. The material history of this cross made of gilded silver is complex, as the reliquary mainly houses a smaller cross made of gold, which in turn probably comes from an older object. All in all, a true (goldsmith) delight for the senses.
After we have already given our customers the elaborate Adornments of his medieval sword belt, two gilded robe clasps and fifty gilded lion patches for his unique costume, this renewed order is another highlight our focus on historical goldsmith objects.
It is and remains a great privilege for us to be able to deal with these outstanding treasures from the cultural history of mankind in such a varied way. Many thanks to all our customers who make this possible for us again and again....
Update December 2023:
Our customer has kindly provided us with the following photos of the finished tassel coat with the elaborately hand-embroidered "Relic Cross of Valasse" including our gemstone settings on it (many thanks for that!)


Interesting Facts about Relic Crosses
Medieval reliquary crosses were significant sacred objects that played a central role in the Christian tradition of the Middle Ages. These crosses served not only as religious symbols but also as containers for relics - remains of holy persons or objects associated with saints, martyrs or Christ himself. They were venerated as valuable treasures in churches, monasteries and also in the possession of nobles and were considered mediators between the divine world and the faithful.
The manufacture of reliquary crosses was a highly specialised craft, with both artistic design and symbolic meaning being of paramount importance. They were often made from precious materials such as gold, silver or bronze and decorated with enamel, precious stones, pearls or glass. The elaborate design reflected the high status that these objects had in the religious life of the Middle Ages. The craftsmen who worked on a cross such as the Valasse reliquary cross were often members of monastic workshops who had great expertise in metalworking and artistic design.
A key feature of medieval reliquary crosses was their hollow interior, which could contain the relics. These relics could be bone fragments of saints, splinters of Christ's cross, or other sacred objects. Often the interior of the reliquary cross was closed, and only priests or high-ranking clergy had access to the relics kept inside. Reliquary crosses were used not only as private devotional objects, but also in processions to bring the blessing and protection of the saints to the faithful.
The symbolic meaning of these crosses was deeply rooted in Christian theology. The cross itself represented the suffering and resurrection of Christ, while the relics within it were considered a physical connection to the saints. Reliquary crosses were believed to possess supernatural powers, such as healing, protection from danger, or warding off evil forces. These beliefs made them coveted objects, both for spiritual institutions and for secular rulers who wanted to underline their power and status by owning such crosses.
Especially in the Romanesque and Gothic periods, between the 11th and 15th centuries, reliquary crosses became important works of art. The most famous examples are the so-called "cross reliquaries", where the contents could often be viewed through small openings or viewing windows. This construction was intended to encourage the devotion of the faithful while protecting the valuable contents.
The proliferation of reliquary crosses also contributed to the pilgrimage movement of the Middle Ages. Believers often traveled long distances to venerate relics and the crosses they housed. Churches that possessed significant reliquary crosses became centers of religious life and benefited from the income generated by pilgrims and donations.
Today, medieval reliquary crosses are valuable testimonies to the piety, craftsmanship and religious culture of the Middle Ages. Many of these crosses are in museums or church collections and offer a fascinating insight into the spiritual and artistic world of this era. They remain an impressive example of the connection between religion, art and society in medieval Europe.