Publication details
The toad stone (Scheenstia tooth) on the reliquary of Saint Maurus at Bečov Castle (Czech Republic) and its significance
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Revue de Paléobiologie |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | http://institutions.ville-geneve.ch/fr/mhn/frontpage/revue-de-paleobiologie/ |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10732333 |
| Keywords | Toad stone; organic gem; gemology; fossil fish tooth; Scheenstia; reliquary of Saint Maurus; Aachen crown; Bečov nad Teplou Castle; Florennes Abbey; medieval encyclopedias |
| Description | 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. |