Monday, October 17, 2011

ANTIQUE FRENCH NOTRE DAME RELIQUARY



I recently found this beautiful French iconic reliquary detailed in several fleurs de lis. The doors open to reveal Miraculous Mary in a long flowing gown holding a rosary. The top has N and D for Notre Dame (French for Our Lady) and a crown. It measures 2.5" tall. What a superb 19th century relic.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

STIGMATA




"I bear on my body the marks of Jesus," taken from the last line of Saint Paul's letter to the Galatians.

Stigmata: a term defined as Holy wounds inflicted on Jesus during the crucifixion.

This little handmade reliquary is my personal favorite. It's decorated with vintage ephemera, antique lace and two tiny antique German bisque doll arms that embrace an antique sterling silver Flaming Sacred Heart ex voto carved with a crown of thorns and wounds Jesus received during the crucifixion. This ex voto hangs from the center and swings freely inside to add movement.

I added glittering silver Angel's hair to give an ethereal touch which mimic silver threads often used to decorate true antique reliquaries. The text, "Faithful," and its definition are from an antique dictionary. All this soldered behind glass.

A tiny antique German Biedermeier bisque head finishes the piece. All this hangs from an antique mother of pearl rosary.