Baroque reliquary with a depiction of the Madonna

Data

Source:
Central Europe

Date:
1743

Style:
Baroque

Material / Technique:
Oil, wood, glass, filigree paper, silk flowers, silver threads, relics

Dimensions:

• Height: 39 cm
• Width: 30.5 cm
• Depth: 6 cm

Condition:
In good condition for its age.

Description

A rare Baroque reliquary dating from 1743, combining a devotional depiction of the Madonna with the relics of three early Christian martyrs. The upper section features an oil painting of the Virgin Mary, while the lower, glass-covered compartment houses a richly decorated reliquary composition featuring gilded paper filigree, silk flowers, fine silver threads, and authentic relics.

According to the inscriptions, the relics are associated with the following saints:

• Saint Urban I, Pope and Martyr (Sanctus Urbanus Papa et Martyr)
• Saint Rodopena, the Martyr
• Saint Prosperus the Martyr

On the reverse side, the handwritten inscription “K 1743 M” can be seen, which most likely corresponds to the Latin Kalendis Martii (“on the Kalends of March,” i.e ., March 1, 1743).

Such reliquaries were outstanding examples of 18th-century Catholic devotional art; they were often crafted with great care in monasteries or ecclesiastical workshops. In addition to their religious function, they also represent a high level of artistic craftsmanship, as the various decorative elements work in harmonious unity to highlight the significance of the relics.