Europe, probably Italy, ca. 19th century CE. A unique and ornately carved and gilded wood reliquary cabinet - its form lifted on four integral legs - with a glass front, openwork and glass side panels, and a hinged lid of a tiered, roof-like form. Inside are folded paper, hand-made 'envelopes' secured with red wax seals impressed with various crests - each envelope labeled with a different saint: S. Faustini M., S. Lucian Antioch, S. Margaret Cortona, St. Abundio M., B. Eugenio III Pp, S. Petrus Verona, St. Benedito Nursia, S. Juan Bosco, S. Pio X Pp, S. Giovanni Nepomuceno, St. Teresae di Gesu, St. Teresae Gesu (cap. Sepl), and S. Margarita M. Maroque Ex. Arca Sep. In addition, the cabinet contains three brass framed reliquaries dedicated to St. Monique, Paccio S. Joseph, and S. Fran. Bot. Size: 8.75" L x 17" W x 15.5" H (22.2 cm x 43.2 cm x 39.4 cm)

The reliquary dedicated to St. Monique is inscribed with a cross on the verso and features a Rococo border of shell and wave motifs. The reliquary dedicated to S. Fran is also inscribed with a cross on the verso and features a border engraved with a floral motif. The smaller reliquary dedicated to S. Joseph has an openwork, ribbon-like border. In addition, the cabinet houses a glass tube with a relic of S. Aloy. Gon. framed by a golden surround and flanked by two florettes made of gilded threads - all upon a lace-lined textile strip. Each end of the tube is wrapped in pastel pink, blue, and white embroidered trim.

This piece was created by someone who invested a great deal of time, effort, and energy into the piece. One cannot help but appreciate the handiwork that went into this elaborate reliquary cabinet and its contents. A very rare work of religious art.

Relics are the surviving personal effects or remains - usually clothes or parts of the body such as bones - of saints, martyrs, or other sacred personages deemed worthy of veneration - remaining as a memorial to the departed hallowed figure. The word relics stems from the Latin reliquiae which was actually in use prior to the spread of Christianity. Reliquaries are containers created to store and display said relics. Since relics are regarded as precious, they have traditionally been enshrined in vessels that display keen workmanship and oftentimes precious materials. This particular cabinet, being quite elaborately decorated, was most likely created for a special individual whose faith led him to acquire a collection of sacred relics.

Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA

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#138822

Expected surface wear with scuffs and abrasions here and there. Normal age cracks. One of the paper 'envelopes' dedicated to S. Margarita is torn and not suspended from the interior wall. The others are hung from the back wall of the cabinet, and are easily removeable.