ANCIENT RELIQUARY OF THE TRUE CROSS

Rare 18th-century bronze reliquary with a glazed front, containing a first-class relic of the True Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The relic is carefully mounted on a fabric backing adorned with silver threads, following a traditional presentation intended to emphasize its sacred character. A red fabric background creates a strong visual contrast and highlights the relic; this color, omnipresent in Christian liturgy, symbolically refers to the Blood of Christ and to His redemptive sacrifice.

The ensemble is preserved in good condition consistent with age, with its original antique glass, its intact ecclesiastical seal, and its original silk sealing threads still present, attesting that the reliquary has never been opened since its original sealing. The presence of the seal and the silk threads constitutes here the essential canonical guarantee of the authenticity and integrity of the relic.

Authenticated relics of the True Cross rank among the most venerated, rare, and strictly controlled relics in Christianity. From Late Antiquity onward, following the traditional discovery of the Cross in Jerusalem in the 4th century, their distribution was closely regulated by the Church, reserved for churches, monasteries, and certain forms of authorized private devotion. Fragments preserved in ancient reliquaries that have remained sealed and intact are today exceptional on the market.

PERIOD : 18th century
DIMENSIONS : 3 cm × 2.5 cm
SIZE : 1.2" × 1"

The relics of the True Cross, of exceptional rarity, are traditionally regarded as fragments of the wood of the Cross upon which Our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. From the earliest centuries of Christianity, they occupied a central place in Christian devotion as material witnesses to the Passion and to Christ’s redemptive sacrifice.

Venerated throughout the Christian world, these relics embody an absolute symbol of faith, salvation, and hope. Their presence within an ancient reliquary conferred upon it a particular spiritual value, making the Cross not only a sign of suffering, but also of victory over death.

Preserved with extreme care in certain churches, abbeys, and cathedrals, the relics of the True Cross have always been surrounded by strict measures of protection and control. Their distribution, strictly regulated by the Church, explains the rarity of authenticated fragments that have survived to our time, especially those preserved in ancient reliquaries that have remained sealed.

The veneration of these relics was associated with prayers for protection, blessing, and intercession, for both body and soul. Their very rarity today enhances their spiritual and historical significance, making each relic of the True Cross a true sacred treasure for believers as well as for discerning collectors.

To further explore the place and meaning of relics in the Christian tradition, you may consult our page dedicated to ancient Christian relics.