19th Century European Religious Altar Reliquary Monstrance With Relic

Also known as a ostensorium, ostensory, or relic shrine, this remarkable vessel would have been used in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, High Church Lutheran, Anglican, and various other Christian churches for the display on an altar of some object of piety, typically an important venerated Saint relic. Designed with portability in mind, often being exhibited in public and/or carried by the priest in procession on the saint’s feast day or on other holy days.

Most likely Italian, first half of the 19th century, featuring delicate repoussé and embossed metalwork, the copper-tone metal reliquary holder accompanied with oval gilt brass cased aperture with beveled glass facade, housing an authentic Saint relic, adorned with Latin Inscription “Wel. del SS. Croc.,” over red fabric decorated with gold thread, retaining original red wax seal to the verso, supported on a baluster-form standard, rising on a domed foot.

Provenance / Acquisition:
Property from a private Alabama collection

Acquired from the highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. 2023 Holiday Luxury Goods & Fine Estates catalog

Dimensions: (approx)
10″ High, 4″ Diameter

Condition:
Very good original antique condition with nicely aged patina. Wear consistent with age, use, handling and exposure, including very minor bending and oxidation. The capsule doesn’t perfectly aline with the opening, but it’s securely mounted.

We here at Lynx Hollow Antiques absolutely love decorating with religious antiques! Sourcing from all religions and areas of the world, whether you’re decorating a place of worship, your home prayer room, or simply looking for interesting accent pieces / authentic religious home decor, be sure to checkout our other listings! From Catholic church altars, Christian tabernacle, Gothic sacristy vestment cabinets, alter sticks, liturgical candlestick or candelabras, hand painted icons, retablo devotional, Spanish Colonial Santo figures, to architectural salvaged pulpits, baptismal fonts, altarpiece, wooden crucifix cross, to statue, statuary, sculpture, and more, be sure to checkout our other listings!