Treasures of Heaven

Today the British Museum opened Treasures of Heaven: saints, relics and devotion in medieval Europe, which runs until the 9 October. This reliquary bust of a cynical-looking female saint (c. 1520–1530) gives you an idea of what to expect. Henry VIII sacked the monasteries to destroy this sort of thing: fake relics to gull the punters, bits of Christ's cross, thorns from Christ's crown. Why on earth bring it back, especially to London? What a bummer! Even worse is the price £12 (title link). Unless you're a religious nutter, forget it.