RELIQUARY, SILVER FILIGREE RELIC OF THE TRUE CROSS

This 18th-century reliquary, made of silver, is a magnificent example of religious goldwork from the late Baroque period. Its filigree work demonstrates great craftsmanship, with each silver wire finely twisted and assembled to form a remarkably delicate pattern. The whole, openwork and symmetrical, is decorated with volutes and stylized flowers, giving the object a lightness and elegance characteristic of the Baroque style.

In the center, an oval medallion stands out, framed by a finely chiseled gold border. At the heart of this precious case, protected under glass, rests a fragment of the True Cross , carefully placed on a red velvet fabric. This color, omnipresent in the Christian liturgy, symbolizes the blood of Christ and his redemptive sacrifice.

In the 18th century, such objects were particularly prized in Europe, especially in Italy, Spain and France, where the art of silver filigree was highly developed. The finesse of the work and the choice of a precious metal such as silver reflect the importance given to the relic it housed.

This reliquary, with its refined ornamentation and religious function, constitutes a precious testimony to the fervor and artisanal know-how of the 18th century.

The wax seal red affixed by the Church guarantees not only the authenticity of the relic, but also that the reliquary has not been opened and that the relic has not been handled since it was closed. It thus ensures its intact preservation, offering complete certainty as to its provenance and integrity.

PERIOD : 18th century
DIMENSIONS : 8.5 cm X 7 cm
SIZE : 3.4" X 2.8"

The relics of the True Cross are fragments of the wood on which Jesus Christ is said to have been crucified. According to Christian tradition, the mother of Emperor Constantine, Saint Helena, discovered the Cross of Christ in Jerusalem in the 4th century. These precious relics were then distributed among several churches and sanctuaries throughout Europe and the Christian East. They became objects of great veneration, symbolizing the redemptive sacrifice of Christ. Many sumptuous reliquaries were made to preserve and magnify them, notably in finely crafted gold and silver.