J 2024

The toad stone (Scheenstia tooth) on the reliquary of Saint Maurus at Bečov Castle (Czech Republic) and its significance

GREGOROVÁ, Růžena and Dana STEHLÍKOVÁ

Basic information

Original name

The toad stone (Scheenstia tooth) on the reliquary of Saint Maurus at Bečov Castle (Czech Republic) and its significance

Name in Czech

Ropuší kámen (zub rodu Scheenstia) na relikviáři sv. Maura na zámku v Bečově nad Teplou (ČR) a jeho význam

Authors

GREGOROVÁ, Růžena and Dana STEHLÍKOVÁ

Edition

Revue de Paleobiologie, Route de Malagnou, 2024, 0253-6730

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

DOI

Keywords (in Czech)

ropuší zub; kameny organického původu; gemologie; fosilní rybí zub; Scheenstia; relikvář sv. Maura; cášská koruna; zámek Bečov nad Teplou; opatství Florennes; středověké encyklopedie

Keywords in English

Toad stone; organic gem; gemology; fossil fish tooth; Scheenstia; reliquary of Saint Maurus; Aachen crown; Bečov nad Teplou Castle; Florennes Abbey; medieval encyclopedias

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 15/3/2024 20:29, doc. Mgr. Dana Stehlíková, Ph.D.

Abstract

V originále

The paper deals with the oldest evidence of the use of the Scheenstia tooth (Mesozoic lepisosteiform fish) as part of the gem decoration on the early 13th-century reliquary of St. Maurus kept at Bečov nad Teplou Castle (Czech Republic). Since the Middle Ages, these teeth have been thought to be toad stones found in the heads of toads. Until the discovery of the toad stone on the reliquary of St. Maurus, no tangible evidence relating to this stone from this period was known. The discovery of a fossil tooth on such an important sacred art object was preceded by a similar discovery of two teeth on the imperial crown dated to the 14th century and held in the Aachen Cathedral Treasury. Color variations of about 500 pieces of teeth from more than 24 European localities were studied to find out how the color of teeth differs both within one locality and between individual localities. The goal was to understand whether it is possible to determine the provenance of teeth set as part of gem decoration in the Reliquary of St. Maurus and in the crown on the bust of Charlemagne in Aachen. In addition, a comparison of the colors of toad stones from the most important medieval sources with fossil Scheenstia teeth is discussed. Not all toad stones described in medieval literature can be identified with fossil teeth.