KeepCup SMP 20

Female bust of Saint Dorothean. The sculpture is in gilt wood and copper showing a fine head, with elaborate hair. The figure shows a dress richly ornamented on the shoulders and chest. The relic is found inside an oval case protected by glass. On the back there is a door through which the relic was put in.

Title: Reliquary Bust of Saint Dorothea

Creator: Unknown

Date: 16th century (late)

Physical Dimensions: w44 x h61,6 x d27,6 cm (Total)

Type: Sculture/reliquary

Rights: Museu de São Roque/Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa

External Link: Museu de São Roque/Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa

Medium: Wood, copper, glass

Provenance: Legacy of John of Borgia (1533-1606), son of St. Francis Borgia (1510-72), who was married twice, first to Lorenza de Oñas (grand-daughter of Ignatius Loyola's brother), and later to D.Francisca of Aragón y Barreto (or Portuguese origin). Later he was sent as ambassador of Philip II of Spain to the Imperial Court of Rudolf II of Saxony, in Prague. John of Borgia was able to assemble a first rare collection of relics from, among other places, Rome, Hungary, Bohemia and Cologne which he brought back to Escorial where he drew up a deed of gift to São Roque's Church in 1587. In return the grateful Jesuits decided to allow the donors - John and his wife as well as their descendants to be buried in the main chapel. The reliquaries at São Roque, most of them from John of Borgia, are of differente shapes, generally depending on the relic they house: arms, male and female torsos, urns, ostensories, chests., Museu de São Roque/Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa

Manufactured: Portugal, Portugal