Compared to Reliquary Shrine, Reliquary Bust of Saint Yrieix is more concise in it composition and appearance. It is a lifesize reliquary bust decorated with jewels in order to place the skull of St. Yrieix inside of it. According to the MET, the reliquary was used to cover a wood core. “The sculpture wood core, which was not originally intended to be seen, is currently separated from the silver image, now supported by a modern mold.”(Set in stone) Therefore, it supposes to have two layers: silver sculpture is the outside layer and the wood core is the inner layer. The skull of St. Yrieix was once placed inside. Unlike Reliquary Shrine which contains many different figures, this reliquary bust is all about St. Yrieix. Presenting only the head to reveal the characteristics of St. Yrieix, the artist wanted viewers to …show more content…
On the top of the head, there is a piece of a metal plate decorated with gems and hollowed out geometrical shapes. To have a close look, the reliquary is covered by pieces of gilded silver.
Two works try to emphasize the theme with distinct techniques. Reliquary Shrine uses lots of narrative scenes to give viewers a basic understanding of Mary on both wings. It begins with the left wing on the upper square scene in the center, the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel points to a scroll, and this scroll is the message from god. Mary with a halo who sits on the chair raises her right hand up indicating that they have a conversation. This is a scene that the angel is sending a message to the Mary that she will give birth to Jesus. On its right scene, two women with halo hug each other. We can tell from their height and dresses that the left one is Mary and another one is Elizabeth who is also pregnant. Below that, on the left square scene, it is Annunciation with the Nativity which