Arm Reliquary of the Apostles (c. 1190 CE)
Shaped like a clothed human forearm with an outstretched right hand in a gesture of blessing, this reliquary was designed to house a sacred relic—in this case, a portion of an unidentified saint’s arm bone.
12th Century
The twelfth century (1101–1200 CE) was a period of significant cultural and political development across many regions. In Europe, the era saw the expansion of medieval kingdoms and artistic production connected to religious institutions, while other parts of the world experienced parallel developments in trade, scholarship, and cultural exchange.