Antique Italian portable reliquary with double image in Silver Piece. 17th-18th C.

Antique Italian portable reliquary with double image in Silver Piece. 17th-18th Century

We present a unique and exceptional piece for lovers of ancient sacred art, a magnificent Italian portable reliquary dated between 1780 and 1810, probably originating from the Emilia-Romagna or Lombardy region. This delicate piece combines two devotional expressions, an oil on panel depicting the Virgin and Child in the popular Italian sacred style, and an antique hand-colored engraving portraying Saint Paul the Apostle.

The reliquary is crafted with a finely detailed repoussé silver frame that encases both sides of the object. The top features an elegant pierced border and a suspension ring for easy hanging. For display on an altar or table, it is equipped with a rear support stand. Both sides are protected by original antique glass panels, characterized by their bubbled texture and the distinctive charm of period glasswork.

The image of the Virgin and Child reflects the Eleousa style or "Madonna of Tenderness", where the loving gesture between Mother and Child conveys touching sweetness and melancholy. The oval faces, the golden folds of the mantle, and the radiated halos painted with fine brushstrokes are typical features of the popular devotional Italian workshops of the late eighteenth century.

On the reverse, there is an antique engraving, also from the late eighteenth century, representing Saint Paul the Apostle holding his traditional sword and a scroll. This image is richly adorned with a background of hand-applied golden leaves, a detail that enhances its presentation and demonstrates careful craftsmanship.

This reliquary belongs to the tradition of portable reliquaries that flourished at the end of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, driven by religious fervor and the practice of pilgrimages. Their primary function was to protect and venerate relics, sacred images, or fragments of devotional objects. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, especially in Italy, devotional workshops produced numerous reliquaries with noble metal frames such as silver combined with glass, intended to house oils, engravings, or secondary small reliquaries. These pieces were sold in sanctuaries, major churches, or religious fairs, serving both liturgical and domestic purposes. Northern Italy, with active artistic centers in Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy, stood out in the production of this type of sacred art. The use of oil painting on panel to depict the Virgin, combined with hand-colored engravings, gave these pieces an accessible yet deeply devotional character. Today, well-preserved antique reliquaries are highly valued in the sacred art market, not only for their aesthetics but also for their immense historical and spiritual value.

The condition of this piece is remarkable considering its age. The frame shows minimal natural oxidation, the glass panels protect the images perfectly, the oil painting presents only slight varnish wear, and the engraving retains its vivid original colors, although the paper shows some humidity stains that, far from detracting from its beauty, affirm its genuine antiquity.

This devotional jewel would be perfect to reintroduce into the Church, for use in a parish, where it would shine as a testimony of faith and tradition from past times. Moreover, it represents an exceptional investment for sacred art collectors interested in pieces of great rarity and authenticity.

Do not miss this unique opportunity to acquire a piece of living religious history, rich in spirituality.

Dimensions, 10.6 cm × 7.7 cm × 1.5 cm (4.17 in × 3 in × 0.59 in)