Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Europe, Italy, ca. mid-19th century CE. A pair of devotional reliquary frames, possibly for use as scapulary, one with an oval opening, the other with a rectangular opening for an image, the surrounds comprised of metallic thread petaled flowers, coiled ribbons, and lace trims of various patterns all meticulously hand-stitched from gilded threads to create a mesmerizing, low-relief design. Size: 6.5" in diameter (16.5 cm)

These reliquary frames were created by a nun who invested a great deal of time, effort, and energy into her work and received monetary gifts from patrons of her convent in order to complete this opulent tribute. The frame with an ovoid opening also features four small pouches with red and white ribbons labeled with saint names. The other frame has four semicircular flaps at corners that once presumably contained relics. One cannot help but appreciate the handiwork that went into the delineation of these complex works of religious art.

Provenance: Ex-Historia Antiques, James Caswell, Santa Monica, CA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#118179

  • Condition: Some stitching is loose or missing. A few sections of the gilded spiraled yarns are missing. Saint names on ribbons somewhat faded and difficult to read.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

January 30, 2017 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000