This is the tiniest antique carved meerschaum reliquary ex voto I've seen, ever.
It is a tiny 1.81" tall. The carving depicts Saint Jean-François Régis, a French Jesuit priest of the Society of Jesus.
The detail throughout this carving is absolutely astounding. His entwined fingers are so detailed you can see fingernails. A button on his shirt is visible. He embraces a crucifix where you can see a nail in Jesus' right hand and Jesus' navel.
The rear has handwritten script in French on a piece of very old paper. It reads, "St Francois Regis-enterrer a La Lalouvesc," translated to the best of my ability to, "Saint Francois Regis-buried in Lalouvesc," or, "Saint Francois Regis-died in Lalouvesc."
What a gem.
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