Sacred Images Owned by the Laity in the Medieval Churches of Naples (10th-12th Centuries)

Abstract

Donations of money and properties to sacred images were not unusual in medieval Europe, but in 10^th-12^th century Naples they could imply an uncommon feature: in fact, images were often in the full possession of the donors, who gave them in custody to a church, usually located in the same district where they lived. Basing on textual evidence, this paper discusses typology, format, iconography, and location of this particular kind of ‘private’ images and analyses the social and economic implications deriving from their specific status. It also examines the impact of this practice on the city’s rituality and religious identity.