Antique Reliquary - Polychrome wood - 1750-1800 - Bishop reliquary bust - 86 cm
06
days
09
hours
38
minutes
52
seconds
Current bid
€ 1,500
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Clément Floch
Has 20 years of experience trading curios, including 15 years with a leading French dealer.
Estimate € 4,100 - € 5,000
 | €1,500 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €1,300 | |
| €1,200 | |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 142857 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Description from the seller
Episcopal bust-reliquary (2) in carved, lacquered, and polychrome wood – Italy, 18th century
Important (87 cm) Italian 18th-century bust-reliquary, depicting a saintly bishop wearing the mitre and dressed in his pontifical vestments.
Made of carved wood, lacquered and polychromed, the figure stands out for its particularly decorative execution.
The bearded face, treated with gravity, is topped by a tall mitre enriched with colored elements mimicking cabochons and precious stones.
The cope features a remarkable raised relief decoration of scrolls and vegetal motifs, highlighted with metallic tones and punctuated by green cabochons.
At the center of the chest sits a prominent circular reliquary cavity with no relic present, integrated into a volute-carved surround.
The bust rests on an architected base with scrolls, centered by a winged cherub head.
The back is deliberately plainer and largely undecorated, preserving the trap that once allowed access to the reliquary cavity, characteristic of this type of devotional sculpture designed to receive and display relics. The work belongs to the Italian Baroque tradition of bust-reliquaries, particularly developed in the 17th and 18th centuries for decorating churches, chapels, and sacristies.
Condition
The surface retains a very beautiful aged presence, with wear, losses and alterations of the polychromy and lacquer, clearly visible in the photographs and consistent with its age. These signs of time contribute to the character and authenticity of the piece.
Note that this bust forms a pair with a second episcopal bust-reliquary of the same period and similar workmanship, also available for sale.
The photos are an integral part of the object description and complement the presentation. They allow you to assess its condition and features. Please examine them carefully before any engagement
The item will be carefully packaged and shipped with a tracking number to ensure fast and secure delivery.
Happy bidding
Seller's Story
The Sanctuary of Curiosities was born from a deep passion for sacred art, devotional objects, and ancient curiosities, witnesses to a rich spiritual and cultural history. Each item offered is the result of meticulous research, carefully sourced across Europe, respecting its authenticity, rarity, and condition.
We are committed to selecting only meaningful objects, with special attention paid to details, materials, and provenance. Our approach is guided by respect for religious heritage and the desire to pass on these fragments of the sacred to passionate collectors, enlightened amateurs, or places of reflection.
Each item is carefully examined, documented, and packaged with the utmost care to ensure a calm, professional, and respectful shopping experience.
Translated by Google TranslateEpiscopal bust-reliquary (2) in carved, lacquered, and polychrome wood – Italy, 18th century
Important (87 cm) Italian 18th-century bust-reliquary, depicting a saintly bishop wearing the mitre and dressed in his pontifical vestments.
Made of carved wood, lacquered and polychromed, the figure stands out for its particularly decorative execution.
The bearded face, treated with gravity, is topped by a tall mitre enriched with colored elements mimicking cabochons and precious stones.
The cope features a remarkable raised relief decoration of scrolls and vegetal motifs, highlighted with metallic tones and punctuated by green cabochons.
At the center of the chest sits a prominent circular reliquary cavity with no relic present, integrated into a volute-carved surround.
The bust rests on an architected base with scrolls, centered by a winged cherub head.
The back is deliberately plainer and largely undecorated, preserving the trap that once allowed access to the reliquary cavity, characteristic of this type of devotional sculpture designed to receive and display relics. The work belongs to the Italian Baroque tradition of bust-reliquaries, particularly developed in the 17th and 18th centuries for decorating churches, chapels, and sacristies.
Condition
The surface retains a very beautiful aged presence, with wear, losses and alterations of the polychromy and lacquer, clearly visible in the photographs and consistent with its age. These signs of time contribute to the character and authenticity of the piece.
Note that this bust forms a pair with a second episcopal bust-reliquary of the same period and similar workmanship, also available for sale.
The photos are an integral part of the object description and complement the presentation. They allow you to assess its condition and features. Please examine them carefully before any engagement
The item will be carefully packaged and shipped with a tracking number to ensure fast and secure delivery.
Happy bidding
Seller's Story
The Sanctuary of Curiosities was born from a deep passion for sacred art, devotional objects, and ancient curiosities, witnesses to a rich spiritual and cultural history. Each item offered is the result of meticulous research, carefully sourced across Europe, respecting its authenticity, rarity, and condition.
We are committed to selecting only meaningful objects, with special attention paid to details, materials, and provenance. Our approach is guided by respect for religious heritage and the desire to pass on these fragments of the sacred to passionate collectors, enlightened amateurs, or places of reflection.
Each item is carefully examined, documented, and packaged with the utmost care to ensure a calm, professional, and respectful shopping experience.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1400-1900
Weight
0 g
Wood type
Polychrome wood
Title additional information
Bishop reliquary bust - 86 cm
Number of objects
1
Material
Wood
Country of origin
Italy
Height
86 cm
Width
39 cm
Depth
22 cm
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Style
Antique
Estimated period
1750-1800
Sold by
