Cape of Saint Blaise

Cape of Saint Blaise

This ivory carved Cape of Saint Blaise was discovered in the 12th century in southern Italy or Sicily. Ivory as a whole: 12 centimeters. It is currently housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its shape is exquisite, with a series of six carved bands, and the outer ring depicts a hunting scene. The earliest existing inventory of St. Blaise Church from 1482-85 lists an olivine decorated with silver rings and gemstones, known as the 'Cape of St. Blaise'. By the 17th century, it was said that Saint Bryce used this horn to summon believers to worship.