Osculatory Reliquary, Saint Barbara, Sterling Silver, Kiss Of Peace, Circa 1780-1800

Extremely rare reliquary in solid silver from the Louis XVI period containing a relic of Saint Barbara. At the top of the osculatory reliquary there is a embossed silver medallion with the image of the saint accompanied by her attributes. There is no trace of hallmarks as is often the case with liturgical objects. The style, characteristics and technique nevertheless allow us to attribute it to the production of goldsmiths from the southern Netherlands (present-day Belgium) around 1780-1800. Saint Barbara lived in the third century and has always been very venerated throughout the Christian world. She is - among others - the patron saint of miners, firefighters, pyrotechnicians, artillerymen but also masons and carpenters. She was very popular from the eighth century and her celebration on December 4 was very important.