1600s RENAISSANCE SILVER RELIQUARY CROSS Passion of Christ Engraved

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

1600s RENAISSANCE SILVER RELIQUARY CROSS Passion of Christ Engraved:
$17210.96

Here we have an original antique seventeeth century silver Reliquary Cross, most likely French. This cross is complete with relics.The handmade cross is hand engraved both front and back with the symbols of the Passion of Christ, the front is engraved IHS and the reverse MA.This cross shows age appropriate patina and signs of handling, probably being held during prayer.It's a large cross measuring approximately 3 3/16" including the bale by 1 9/16" wide by 1/4" thick at the hinge of the cross where it opens revealing the inner compartments and relics (81mm x 39mm x 6mm). The engraved cross without the bale and fittings for hanging itself measures 2 3/8" in length (60mm). The bale at the top of the cross measures 1/2" across approximately (13mm). Inside there are seven separate compartments each holds a relic, six of the seven relics are wrapped in a hand written label associated with the relic. The label of the relic at the top of the cross is badly deteriorated. The label of the relic at the foot of the cross is either absent or has disintegrated.Not wishing to disturb or damage the relics in any way, the interior of the cross was photographed but the relics were not removed or handled and we made no attempt to unfold the delicate labels. From what is visible I think two of the saints, can be fairly confidently identified as St Martial of Limoges and St Valerie of Limoges. From what is visible, I am unable to decipher the other labels. St Martial was one of the first bishops of Gaul, he was the first bishop of Limoges which in the third century was Augustoritum. St Valerie, a martyr, was converted to Christianity by St Martial.A similar silver reliquary cross from the period is held in the British Museum collection. An appraisal will accompany this cross. It will be sent in a presentation box for safe keeping. The photos form part of the description of this extremely rare and beautiful cross.