Precious Metal Effigies and Reliquaries in the Principality of Liège in the 16th Century. Revisiting Erard’s Commissions

Prince-Bishop Erard de la Marck was aware of the strong effect produced by the exhibition of gold, silver and gilded metal. He exploited the fascination exerted by these materials not only in his palaces, but also in his cathedral and even in the public space, where reliquaries were paraded at the occasion of religious ceremonies and processions. Besides the colossal bust reliquary of St Lambert, which Erard commissioned from Hans von Reutlingen, he had his own life-size effigy made of gilded bronze, kneeling near his sarcophagus and a golden skeleton, in the very centre of the choir of St Lambert cathedral. Several examples of similar use of precious metals in order to inspire sacred terror and reinforce worship will be examined here.