Liturgical objects such as this reliquary and tabernacle decorated the interiors of churches and served to guide Christian thoughts and prayers toward spiritual things. Through symbolic and even actual contact with "holy matter" (in the case of the reliquary and tabernacle), such intermediary tools for contemplating the divine become focal points for worshippers. In addition to their spiritual attributes, the objects are physically beautiful in their rich decoration, underscoring their importance within the church.