Reliquary - Alloy - 1700-1750 - Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Double-sided reliquary – Lignum Crucis, Agnus Dei from Innocent XI and relics of saints – 17th/18th century

Rare and very beautiful double-sided devotional reliquary, octagonal in shape, closed by two thick beveled glasses and equipped with a bale to suspend it.

The interior stands out for a remarkable decoration entirely composed and painted by hand, combining polychrome flowers, foliage, cartouches and golden highlights on a dark background.

One face is devoted to the Holy Cross. At the center, a fragment is presented on textile under the manuscript titulus: “Vere Lignum S. Crucis” — True Wood of the Holy Cross.

Around it are arranged several relics in small circular medals, also accompanied by their manuscript tituli. Among the identifiable inscriptions are Saint Francis, Saint Boniface, V. M. Anna, Saint Teresa and Saint Liber. An emplacement keeps its titulus but its relic is today absent.

The second face presents in the center an ancient Agnus Dei in wax, surrounded by the inscription:

"Agnus Dei Ben: ab Innoc. XI"

that is, a Blessed Agnus Dei by Pope Innocent XI, whose pontificate spans from 1676 to 1689. Agnus Dei were wax medallions solemnly blessed in Rome and distributed as devotional and protective objects. Their presence in old reliquaries is particularly sought after.

The presence of this Agnus Dei provides an important chronological reference for the reliquary’s contents. The composition could belong to the late 17th century or the 18th century, while remaining cautious about the exact dating of the mount, the Agnus Dei having possibly been integrated or remounted later.

The metal mount presents a fine antique patina. The beveled glasses, the extremely meticulous floral decoration, the handwritten inscriptions and the symmetrical arrangement of the relics confer an especially precious character to the whole.

Good overall old condition. Wear, oxidation of the mount and occasional alterations of the decoration consistent with age, glass chips. A small peripheral relic is missing; its placement and titulus remain. The piece has not been opened and is sold as shown in the photographs.

Origin: Western Europe, to be specified

A particularly interesting collectible item due to its double-faced construction and the gathering, in a single reliquary, of a Lignum Crucis, several relics of saints and especially an Agnus Dei attributable to the Innocent XI pontificate (1676–1689).

The photos are an integral part of the object description and complement its presentation. Please examine them carefully before any purchase.

The item will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking number, to ensure fast and secure delivery.

Happy bidding

In accordance with canon law (can. 1190 §1), this sale concerns the reliquary only as a sacred art object. The relics it contains are not subject to the transaction, but are included gratuitously for their historical and cultural value.