Shrine 1598 - 1600

Matthias Walbaum, a goldsmith active in Augsburg, Germany, created this shrine out of ebony, silver, and gold. Augsburg, during Walbaum's lifetime, was a vibrant center of artistic and commercial exchange. This shrine can be understood as a reflection of the religious and social tensions of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, as Europe was experiencing the Reformation and the rise of new forms of piety. The elaborate craftsmanship and precious materials underscore the importance of religious objects as symbols of status and devotion. Yet the choice of ebony, a dark and exotic wood, introduces questions about trade, colonialism, and the complex relationship between Europe and the wider world during this period. Consider the role of such an object within the intimate space of a home or private chapel. What did it mean to possess such a costly item, and what kind of spiritual experience did it facilitate? By engaging with these questions, we come to see the shrine not just as a beautiful object, but also as a window into a world of faith, power, and global exchange.