RELIQUARY OF THE TRUE CROSS WITH VATICAN HALLMARK

This 18th-century reliquary, crafted in silver, stands as a remarkable testament to the religious goldsmithing of the late Baroque period. Its filigree decoration, composed of finely twisted and carefully assembled silver wires, reveals exceptional craftsmanship. The openwork motifs, animated by scrolls and stylized flowers, lend the whole a refined harmony and a lightness characteristic of the late Baroque style.

At the center of the piece is an oval medallion framed by a finely worked setting. Beneath the original antique glass rests a fragment of the True Cross, carefully arranged on red velvet fabric — a liturgical color recalling the blood of Christ and the depth of His sacrifice.

In the 18th century, this type of object was especially sought after throughout Catholic Europe — in Italy, Spain, as well as France — where the art of silver filigree reached a high degree of refinement. The use of noble materials and the fineness of execution emphasize the importance of the relic preserved.

Authenticated relics of the True Cross are particularly sought after, not only because of their rarity, but also due to their theological significance: they recall the Passion, Christ’s victory over death, and the birth of Christian salvation. Through the centuries, they have nourished the devotion of the faithful, encouraged the foundation of sanctuaries, and inspired a considerable number of sacred works of art.

With its delicate ornamentation and perfect integrity, this reliquary illustrates both the religious fervor and the excellence of 18th-century artisanal craftsmanship.

The reliquary bears the Vatican hallmark, guaranteeing its ecclesiastical authenticity and attesting that it was officially sealed and issued by the competent religious authority. The ecclesiastical seal and the silk sealing threads are also present and perfectly intact, confirming that the reliquary has never been opened since its creation.

Good condition consistent with age, original glass preserved. Presence of blue-green oxidation traces, corresponding to the oxidation of copper naturally present in historic silver alloy, resulting from humid storage conditions.

Never opened.
Ecclesiastical seal and silk sealing threads present.

PERIOD : 18th century
DIMENSIONS : 14 × 7 cm
SIZE : 5.5" × 2.8"

According to tradition, the True Cross was discovered in Jerusalem in the 4th century by Saint Helena , mother of Emperor Constantine. Following this discovery, part of the Cross was preserved 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 treasured possessions of Christendom. During the Middle Ages, these relics were carried in procession, used to bless peoples, and regarded as powerful symbols of victory and divine protection. Sovereigns and popes themselves kept fragments, often enshrined in precious reliquaries. Military orders, such as the Templars, also received some of these relics to carry onto the battlefield. Thus, the True Cross has remained at the heart of Christian devotion, bearing witness to the Passion and the Redemption.