SILVER FILIGREE RELIQUARY RELIC OF THE TRUE CROSS

This exceptional reliquary is a true masterpiece of religious goldwork, illustrating the expertise of the artisans of the Baroque period. Its decoration, of great finesse, bears witness to the spiritual and aesthetic richness specific to the liturgical objects of this period.

The entire reliquary is worked in silver filigree , a technique that consists of braiding fine metal wires to create openwork patterns of incredible delicacy. This goldsmith work, typical of 18th-century Spanish, Italian or Portuguese religious art, gives the structure an airy lightness and remarkable sophistication. The main motif is made up of a network of intertwined volutes , evoking plant and floral arabesques. These undulating motifs, characteristic of the Baroque style, create an impression of movement and dynamism.

The perimeter of the reliquary is decorated with stylized flowers and scrolled motifs , which evoke both nature and the divine. The delicately chiseled petals seem to spring from the metal, creating a striking relief effect. This floral decoration can be interpreted as an allegory of the Garden of Eden, a reminder of the celestial beauty and salvation offered by the sacrifice of Christ.

At the heart of this precious case, protected under glass, lies a fragment of the True Cross , carefully placed on a red velvet cloth. This color, omnipresent in the Christian liturgy, symbolizes the blood of Christ and his redemptive sacrifice.

The reliquary is surmounted by a small ring , suggesting that it could have been worn as a pendant or hung in a liturgical setting, perhaps on a private altar or in a chapel. Its refinement and ornamentation testify to its probable use in an aristocratic or ecclesiastical context, where it served both as an object of veneration and as an expression of the prestige of its owner.

The reliquary is sold with its original case, which shows signs of wear and no longer closes very well. The case, covered with leather on the outside and lined with fabric on the inside, has protected the reliquary over time. Despite this defect, it retains all its charm and authenticity, adding to the historical and heritage value of the whole.

The red wax seal affixed by the Church and bearing the coat of arms of a bishop 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 : 13.5 cm X 11 cm
SIZE : 5.3" X 4.3"