Reliquary - Boxwood - 1750-1800 - Reliquary cross, 18th century.

Boxwood Passion reliquary crucifix – Southern Germany, 18th century The main face presents an iconography particularly rich in the Passion. The Christ on the cross, carved in strong relief, dominates the Virgin Mary, Mater Dolorosa, depicted at the foot of the Cross in an attitude of sorrow and contemplation. At the top appears God the Father, blessing and holding the cruciger globe. The dove of the Holy Spirit, placed beneath Him, completes a representation of the Holy Trinity. The inscription INRI sits immediately above Christ. Two small openings cut into the cross, one in the shape of a radiant heart, the other circular, allow glimpses of elements kept inside the reliquary. The major peculiarity of this piece lies in its construction: the cross is a true reliquary with a hidden compartment. Movable carved panels on the reverse reveal an interior cavity containing a set of small bundles and reliquary elements, accompanied by fragments of papers or tituli, threads, textiles and metallic ornaments. In the absence of authentic relics or legible tituli currently, we cannot with certainty attribute these elements to specific saints. Contains no human remains. The reverse is itself carefully carved with the Arma Christi, the instruments of the Passion. The finesse of the sculpture, the highly expressive treatment of the faces, the deeply hollowed draperies and the abundance of the iconographic program are characteristic of devotional objects produced in Catholic regions of southern Germany in the 18th century, probably in a Bavarian or Swabian context. Overall good condition considering its age; old restorations and a small gap. Wear, cracks and irregularities in keeping with age. Reliquary compartment and interior elements preserved. Summit suspension ring. The photographs are an integral part of the object's description and complement its presentation. Please examine them carefully before any engagement. The object will be carefully packaged and shipped with a tracking number to ensure fast and secure delivery. Happy bidding In accordance with canon law (can. 1190 §1), this sale concerns solely the reliquary as a sacred art object. The relics it contains are not the subject of the transaction, but are included gratuitously for their historical and cultural value.

Estimate:£633.84

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