Reliquary in the Shape of a Three-Legged Fish, from Germany, c.900-1350 CE: this reliquary was crafted from rock crystal and silver-gilt, and it was designed as a vessel for relics of Mary Magdalene [3967×4960]
by SixteenSeveredHands
Reliquary in the Shape of a Three-Legged Fish, from Germany, c.900-1350 CE: this reliquary was crafted from rock crystal and silver-gilt, and it was designed as a vessel for relics of Mary Magdalene [3967×4960]
by SixteenSeveredHands
18 Comments
This strange-looking artifact is usually described as a “fish with legs,” but some sources refer to it as a “flea-like insect” instead.
The body dates back to the 10th century CE, but the legs were added a few centuries later, likely during the 14th century. The vessel itself was carved from rock crystal (i.e. quartz) while the head, legs, and frame are all made from gilded silver.
It was originally commissioned for the nuns of St. Vitus Church, located in Emmerich am Rhein, Germany, where it was meant to be used as a vessel for the relics of Mary Magdalene, but it was later moved to the nearby Church of St. Martin, which is where it’s currently housed.
#Sources & More Info:
– De Gruyter: [*Dingkulturen*](https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110450972/html?lang=en&srsltid=AfmBOorDDzIELveoVVI8e-nvHNPwj8dzccxruKUBiokUR-e9sTFL5baw)
– Wikimedia Commons: [Fish Reliquary from St. Vitus in Emmerich am Rhein](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fish_reliquary_St_Vitus_Emmerich_am_Rhein_H9.jpg)
– Schnütgen Museum: [Exhibitions: Magic Rock Crystal](https://www.museum-schnuetgen.de/Magic-Rock-Crystal)
– Medieval Art on Instagram: [Highlights from the Rock Crystal Exhibition at Schnütgen Museum](https://www.instagram.com/p/CmYtsprOpFe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==)
A fish with legs? As in the theory of evolution? Hilarious coincidence.
They didn’t have CGI, so they just built weird stuff in real life.
I cannot think of the deep sea without shuddering at the nameless things that may at this very moment be crawling and floundering on its slimy bed…
Because nothing conveys a sense of reverence like a three-legged fish beast.
What relics does it encase?
Reliquary: That’s today’s new word sorted. Thanks.
Looks more like a cricket. Mostly because fish don’t have legs
I’m having a hard time working out whether that’s not enough legs or too many legs. Either way, it’s an unnerving number of legs.
He’s just a goofy little guy
I’d like to know what text is written on the inside of it
In the context of the [weird creatures you often see drawn into the margins of medieval manuscripts](https://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast411.htm), something similar in three dimensions doesn’t seem that odd.
Il a des bras, et une jambe, le Poisson Steve!
tralalero tralala?
Must be quite the gifted fish to have a 3rd leg that big, especially since they were added later… The irony that it was for the reliquary of Mary Magdalene makes it almost a tongue in cheek joke for the nuns…
I love it!! Almost other worldly!
Il a des jaaaaambs. Et des bras.
Is there any explanation about this particular design? I mean, fishes are present in Bible lore, but the legs? And most of all, three? I mean, there are real deep sea fishes that resemble this, but come on, it’s weird.