Reliquary c. 1750

Arm reliquary circa 1750 Italian Religious artifact

An arm reliquary (or bras-reliquaries) is a "speaking reliquary"—a sacred vessel shaped like the body part it was intended to house. Beyond being a container for a saint's remains, every detail of its design served a specific theological and liturgical purpose. The extended index and middle fingers represent the Latin gesture of blessing.

This example is aged naturally as you may expect as its over 300 years, it still has a museum stamp to the front sections as shown. The crystal panel that would have been positioned centrally is missing.

During the Middle Ages and Baroque periods, these reliquaries were used as "liturgical props". Clergy would hold the arm and make the sign of the cross over the congregation, allowing the saint to "personally" deliver a blessing to the faithful.

By the Baroque era, the cartouche became highly ornamental, often framed by elaborate scrolls or "strapwork" to emphasize the importance of the contents.

Dimensions: 22" H ×5" W × 4" D

Origin: Italy

Date: 1750

Materials: Wood

Condition:

• Faded surfaces and loss of detail in sections
• Naturally faded wood with scuffs at eh base
• Missing crystal plate to the front
• No breaks or loss to this artifact

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