Medieval Lead Reliquary Plaque – 15th Century – Saint Beatrice & Saint Paul The Hermit

A rare and remarkable lead reliquary plaque, described as “authentic,” dating from the 15th century.

These “authentic” plaques accompanied the relics preserved in reliquaries and served to guarantee their identity and authenticity. Today, they are particularly valuable testimonies to medieval devotion and have become extremely rare on the market, as they were melted down once they were no longer needed. 

This plaque is engraved with the following inscription in Gothic script:

RELIQUIES SCTI BRIATIZ / SCTI PAULI HEREMITE

The inscription is not written in academic Latin but in a medieval vernacular or dialect, corresponding to: “Relics of Saint Beatrice / Saint Paul the Hermit.”

Saint Beatrice (1260–c. 1303), born in Ornacieu in the Dauphiné (Isère), entered the Carthusian monastery of Parménie at a very young age before founding the Carthusian monastery of Eymeu in the Drôme. Her life of poverty, austerity, and charity earned her deep regional veneration.

Saint Paul the Hermit (4th century), regarded by Christian tradition as the first hermit, preceded Saint Anthony in the hermitic life according to Saint Jerome and remains one of the great founding figures of Eastern monasticism.

Authentic medieval pieces of this age are extremely rare. Personally, I know of no other example of this age in any public or private collection.

Provenance: former collection of Dr. Alex Brunet (Angers); item appraised by the Laurence Fligny Firm.

Dimensions: 10.6 × 4.9 cm.

A very beautiful, unusual medieval devotional object of great historical authenticity, combining a high-quality provenance, a perfectly identifiable Gothic inscription, and exceptional rarity.

Price does not include shipping costs

Police Registry Ref.: A133

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