Reliquary Bust of St. Thomas Aquinas

The polychrome wood carving depicts Thomas Aquinas, also known as doctor angelicus (canonised 1323), one of the 33 Doctors of the (Catholic) Church, whose work represent the high point of scholasticism. The aperture on the bust’s bosom shows that the bust was used as a reliquary. The symmetrical composition and form of the figure rising from a low flat base give a static impression. It was originally decorated in precious stones.