Fragments from 2 areas of this 12th cent. silver reliquary, which proved to be of similar composition, were studied. Spectrochemical analysis: Ag, main constituent; Cu, approx. 1-10%; Au, approx. 0.1-1.0%; Pb, approx. 0.05%; Sn, In, Fe, Ni, Mn. Sb, Cd, trace-undetectable; Ti, Al, Si, Na, Ca, Mg present due to extraneous nonmetallic matter. The surface layers showed higher Au and Cu, although microscopic examination did not indicate that the surface had been gilded, and there was no trace of Hg which would indicate amalgam gilding. Microscopic examination showed the metal to be principally a single metallic solid solution with a minor amount of a second phase, worked down from a thicker casting by alternate hammering and annealing. The metal is brittle due to failure along the grain boundaries. There are no intergranular corrosion products which are the chief known cause of such brittleness; evidently here it is associated with a slow change that has occurred in the metal with time, possibly due to slow precipitation of Cu from solid solution. The lattice para meter of the alloy as determined by x-ray diffraction is less than that of pure silver and corresponds to approx. 3.8% Cu. Microhardness is higher than annealed sterling silverand indicates hardening by deforming or aging. Examination of this piece was first undertaken because the feet of the standing figure in the decoration are missing. It was concluded that this had been the case when it was first made, and was not due to cutting and later remounting. -- AATA