Klosterarbeiten came from the convents in Southern Germany and provided a significant proportion of convents’ income. “Pious works” were produced in Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg, for example, and were a meditative activity that brought nuns closer to God or to a specific saint. 

Relics covered miniatures, often an image of Mary or a Saint, or a Lamb of God made in wax. They were arranged in picture frames and adorned with gold wire, glass gems, pearls and sequins. Gold, silver and silk embroidery, lace and papercuts were also used. Devotional icons, figures of the Christ child, portable altars and other devotional objects intended for use in church or for sale were also made in this way.

The most opulent pieces are around 250 years old.