Reliquary. Spain, XVII century.

Reliquary. Spain, XVII century.
In silver.
Property of Benito Sáez.
Weight: 520 g.
Measurements: 35,50 x 13,50 x 12 cm.

The reliquary sits on a circular molded foot. On this foot is the shaft, inspired by classical forms. The reliquary itself again presents a mixtilinear profile, with a dynamic poly-lobed game in which curved and straight profiles are combined with geometric and naturalistic inspired shapes. It ends with the representation of a Latin cross in its upper part. In the center of the reliquary there is a circular receptacle, a small window with a molded frame that allows to see the relic preserved inside. In this way, the piece becomes a liturgical object destined to show the consecrated host, the Sacred Form, venerated as the true body of Christ in Catholic environments.

The realization of this type of religious objects, designed to house the relics of the saints, was common since the Gothic period, highlighting both the crosses and the so-called "testas", which, in the documentation contemporaneous to their realization, were very popular. Although many of them took very different forms, they all had the same devotional purpose, which sometimes went beyond fanaticism. It should be remembered, however, that at that time practically any element that had been in contact with the saint or his mortal remains (cloths, burial soil, etc.) was considered a sacred relic, which triggered a whole market for this type of object. The best examples were made of precious metals, but specimens in other materials were also highly valued, both for the container and, above all, for the content.