ALTAR RELIQUARY, RELIC OF THE TRUE CROSS

This altar reliquary, crafted in the 18th century in gilded bronze, is an exceptional liturgical piece, designed to house and display a relic of the True Cross of Christ. Its refined aesthetic, typical of late Baroque and early Neoclassical religious goldsmithing, reflects remarkable craftsmanship and deep reverence for objects of veneration.

The reliquary rests on a finely chiseled circular base, adorned with decorative motifs inspired by acanthus leaves and volutes—recurring elements in 18th-century sacred art. This base supports a slender baluster-shaped shaft, adding elegance and verticality to the overall structure.

The central element of the reliquary is an oval medallion, protected by glass, containing the precious relic. The medallion is framed by a double ornamentation: an inner circle of raised miniature pearls and a wider outer frame composed of finely crafted acanthus leaves, enhancing its solemn and majestic appearance.

The entire piece is crowned with a Latin cross fixed at the top of the reliquary, emphasizing its sacred nature. This detail, often found on 18th-century reliquaries, recalls the object's primary function: serving as a support for prayer and contemplation for the faithful.

The central medallion, protected by glass, holds a fragment of the wood of Christ’s Cross, placed on a red textile background—a color symbolizing the Passion of Christ. A small golden cross is placed at the center, highlighting the relic, and is surrounded by delicate gilded filigree arabesques, adding further decorative richness. This type of presentation was common in religious goldsmithing to exalt the presence of the relic and encourage veneration.

Around the medallion radiates a sunburst motif, composed of alternating straight and wavy rays. This solar motif, emblematic of Baroque reliquaries, symbolizes divine light and heavenly glory. It enhances the visual presentation of the relic, capturing and reflecting ambient light to draw the faithful’s gaze.

The back of the reliquary mirrors the same radiating structure, demonstrating the meticulous attention paid to every detail—even those not immediately visible.

This gilded bronze reliquary, containing a relic of the True Cross, perfectly illustrates the importance placed on relics in 18th-century Christian worship. Its richly ornate style and the quality of its execution make it both an artistic and spiritual object. It was likely intended to be displayed on an altar or in a chapel, serving as a focal point for prayer and contemplation.

Good used condition with its original glass.

Unopened.

Ecclesiastical seal and silk threads present.

PERIOD: 18th century
DIMENSIONS: 28 cm x 13 cm
SIZE: 11" x 5.1"

Relics of the True Cross are fragments of the wood on which Jesus Christ was crucified. According to Christian tradition, Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, discovered the Cross of Christ in Jerusalem in the 4th century