Reliquaries of the twelfth century sometimes take…

Reliquaries of the twelfth century sometimes take the form of miniature church buildings such as the so-called Eltenberg Reliquary, executed around 1170 in the Rhineland.

Seated figures of Christ and the Apostles, standing figures of prophets, and scenes from the life of Christ decorate the small golden structure.

Only one other example of this type of reliquary is known.

Owned by the Kunstgewerbemuseum in Berlin, the so-called Welfenschatz reliquary is very similar in shape, scale and decorative design; so much so, that the idea of them being produced by the same workshop has been suggested.