Artefact Porn

The Treasure Foot of Basel Cathedral, dating to 1450, is an extraordinary reliquary crafted from silver, copper, gold, pearl, enamel, precious stones, and glass. It contains the bones of a child’s foot, traditionally associated with the massacre in Bethlehem ordered by King Herod. [1256×839]

September 24, 2025

by Party_Judgment5780

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5 Comments

DukeDamage on September 24, 2025 5:57 pm

Can we DNA test that foot?
CarinasHere on September 24, 2025 5:59 pm

[More info](https://tofujoe.com/2021/02/19/the-bizarre-beauty-of-the-basel-foot-reliquary/)
Swimming_Bowler6193 on September 24, 2025 6:09 pm

But the church needs your donations!!

ETA- it is a lovely piece of artwork though
Tastesgreatontoast on September 24, 2025 6:10 pm

Cool artifact, but I wonder whose foot it really is, given that most scholars think the Massacre of the Innocents was not an actual historical event.
Hoffmeister25 on September 24, 2025 6:37 pm

Alternate version of *National Treasure* written and directed by Quentin Tarantino: “We’re going to steal the Treasure Foot…”

The Treasure Foot of Basel Cathedral, dating to 1450, is an extraordinary reliquary crafted from silver, copper, gold, pearl, enamel, precious stones, and glass. It contains the bones of a child’s foot, traditionally associated with the massacre in Bethlehem ordered by King Herod. [1256×839]

17 Old Copper Culture “Spuds” from the Judge James R. Beer Private Collection. These are adze-like woodworking tools produced between 4500-1000 B.C.E. They were found throughout Wisconsin, and spuds have also been found in Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario, Quebec, and New York [1509 x 640]

Funerary Stele of a Woman Who Died in Childbirth, The Inscription Reads: “In the year 305, Marthana, of good soul, had given birth” – Syrian National Museum in Latakia [960×1280]

90 years ago today, local villagers in Shami accidentally unearthed a 2-meter statue while digging in the area. Shortly after, it was moved to the National Museum of Iran and dated to 50 BC. The Shami Statue is now considered the single most important work from the Parthian Empire. [1841×962]

5 Comments

The Treasure Foot of Basel Cathedral, dating to 1450, is an extraordinary reliquary crafted from silver, copper, gold, pearl, enamel, precious stones, and glass. It contains the bones of a child’s foot, traditionally associated with the massacre in Bethlehem ordered by King Herod. [1256×839]

Related

17 Old Copper Culture “Spuds” from the Judge James R. Beer Private Collection. These are adze-like woodworking tools produced between 4500-1000 B.C.E. They were found throughout Wisconsin, and spuds have also been found in Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario, Quebec, and New York [1509 x 640]

Funerary Stele of a Woman Who Died in Childbirth, The Inscription Reads: “In the year 305, Marthana, of good soul, had given birth” – Syrian National Museum in Latakia [960×1280]

90 years ago today, local villagers in Shami accidentally unearthed a 2-meter statue while digging in the area. Shortly after, it was moved to the National Museum of Iran and dated to 50 BC. The Shami Statue is now considered the single most important work from the Parthian Empire. [1841×962]

5 Comments