RELIQUARY OF THE TRUE CROSS IN ROCK CRYSTAL AND SILVER

Superb cross-shaped reliquary from the 18th century, carved in rock crystal and framed in a mount of fine or filigree silver, accompanied by its original case.

At the center, visible through the crystal, lies a fragment of the Most Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This fragment is fixed on a light background bordered in red, in the style of Roman reliquaries. The whole is sealed with silk threads attached to a heraldic red wax seal, still intact despite the passage of time, guaranteeing the authenticity and integrity of the relic.

The transparency of rock crystal, a rare and precious material, was not chosen by chance: in Christian symbolism, this stone embodies immaculate purity, divine clarity, and heavenly light. Placed in the service of a fragment of the True Cross, it acts as a luminous casket that captures and reflects the surrounding light, giving the relic an almost supernatural presence.

In this reliquary, this noble material thus enhances the sacred wood of the Cross while emphasizing its sanctity and inviting contemplation. The choice of silver for the mount further reinforces this idea of nobility and dignity.

What makes this piece absolutely unique is the perfect state of preservation of its rock crystal: intact, without crack or chip, it has survived nearly three centuries without the slightest alteration. It is exceptional today to find a reliquary of this type whose crystal has remained so pure and clear. This rare condition, combined with the presence of a fragment of the True Cross and an intact sealing, makes it an exceptional piece, sought after both for collecting and for private devotion.

PERIOD : 18th century

DIMENSION OF THE CROSS : 5 cm
SIZE OF THE CROSS : 2"

DIMENSION OF THE CASE : 9 cm
SIZE OF THE BOX : 3.5"

According to tradition, the True Cross was discovered in Jerusalem in the 4th century by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine. After this discovery, part of the Cross was kept in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, while other fragments were sent to Constantinople and Rome. Over the centuries, splinters were distributed to the great churches of East and West, becoming treasures of Christendom. During the Middle Ages, these relics were carried in processions, used to bless the people, and regarded as powerful symbols of victory and divine protection. Rulers and even popes themselves kept fragments, often enshrined in precious reliquaries. Military orders, such as the Templars, also received some of these relics to carry onto battlefields. Thus, the True Cross has remained at the heart of Christian piety, a witness to the Passion and the Redemption.