Antique Italian Carved Silvered Gilt Wood Altar Reliquary Bust Sculpture 18th C.

A stunning antique Italian Baroque style silvered metal gilded wood monstrance reliquary. circa 1770-1820 Handmade in Italy in the late 18th / early 19th century, commissioned by the church to display an important religious relic, sculptural painted wood form, mounted with decorative silver repousse metal facing, open oval window where the philatory relic was once housed, rising on a gold gilt painted shaped plinth base. Dimensions: (approx) 17" High, 8" Wide, 5" Deep, 1.25lbs History: Reliquaries (also referred to as a shrine or châsse in French), are containers used to protect and display relics. A portable reliquary may be called a fereter, and a chapel in which it is housed a feretory. A monstrance, also known as an ostensorium (or an ostensory), is a vessel used in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, High Church Lutheran and Anglican churches for the display on an altar of some object of piety, such as the consecrated Eucharistic host during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It is also used as reliquary for the public display of relics of some saints. The use of reliquaries became an important part of Christian practices from at least the 4th century, initially in the Eastern Churches, which adopted the practice of moving and dividing the bodies of saints much earlier than the West, probably in part because the new capital of Constantinople, unlike Rome, lacked buried saints. Relics are venerated in the Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and some Anglican Churches. Reliquaries provide a means of protecting and displaying relics. While frequently taking the form of caskets, they range in size from simple pendants or rings to very elaborate ossuaries. The relics were enshrined in containers crafted of or covered with gold, silver, gems, and enamel. These objects constituted a important form of artistic production across Europe and Byzantium throughout the Middle Ages. Many were designed with portability in mind, often being exhibited in public or carried in procession on the saint's feast day or on other holy days. Pilgrimages often centered on the veneration of relics. The faithful often venerate relics by bowing before the reliquary or kissing it; those churches which observe the veneration of relics distinguish between the honor given to the saints and the worship that is due to God alone. Sixteenth-century reformers such as Martin Luther opposed the use of relics since many had no proof of historical authenticity and objected to a cult of saints. Many reliquaries, particularly in northern Europe, were destroyed by Calvinists or Calvinist sympathizers during the Reformation...

A remarkable pair of scarce large Italian Baroque period carved and painted wood church altar reliquary busts. Born in Italy in the 18th century / possibly late 17th century, figural form, each hand carved from a single log, modeled as opposing figures, parcel gilt polychrome decorated, hollowed central cavity with original glazed glass relic viewing panel, rising on integral marbleized scroll foot base. Dimensions: (each) 21.25" Tall, 8.5" Wide, 8" Deep; 16.25lbs Total Condition Report: Very good original unrestored antique condition with beautifully aged patina. Wear consistent with age and use, including scattered nicks, chips, and chippy paint losses. One glazed panel with losses to sides. Overall in great shape, strong, sturdy, stable, and structurally sound. Presents splendidly We here at Lynx Hollow Antiques absolutely love decorating with religious antiques! From an antique altarpiece, tabernacle, reredos, shrine niche, baptismal font, crucifix, santo statue, icon, religious folk art, retablo, monastery table to church architectural elements...

A scarce, large and most impressive European antique urn-form mirrored wooden statue. Late 19th century, most likely Italian, possibly French, hand carved, painted and gilded solid...

A scarce Baroque period Spanish or Italian hand carved polychrome painted wood Santo sculpture with inset colored glass eyes, original white robe garb and later wood rosary. Intrica...

Spectacular and very decorative piece. Large carved wooden reliquary bust of a Saint. Beautiful weathered paint and gilding. Small losses / old repairs and without the relics. Italy ...

18th century reliquary from northern Italy. Giltwood, polychromed and looks to be hand carved from one piece of wood. Mortised thru the base. A reliquary was used to house a religio...

Large Saint John the Evangelist figure created in the workshop of Franz Matthias Hiernle in Mainz, Germany. The superbly carved and highly decorated slender figure, in an elegant and...

Wonderful and detailed reliquary holder with its beautiful weathered original silver, Italy, circa 1750. Weathered and small losses and old repairs.