Gilt Wood Reliquary. Rome, 18th Century

Imposing Baroque reliquary in carved and gilded wood, likely of Roman commission, and confidently datable to the first quarter of the 18th century. The piece stands out for its rich ornamentation, typical of mature Baroque style: the cherub heads on either side, with animated expressions and masterfully carved curls, frame a harmonious and elaborate structure, adorned with finely executed scrollwork and openwork decoration.The reliquary's distinctive feature is its multi-compartment design, conceived to hold a very large number of relics—possibly belonging to an entire monastic community or confraternity, or intended for a prestigious private chapel.The gold leaf gilding, well preserved in large sections, enhances the solemn character of the piece and underscores its sacred purpose. A structural intervention is visible on the back, where reinforcing canvas has been applied to support weakened areas of the wood, testifying to a conscious conservation effort.Overall condition is good and consistent with the age of the object, with expected signs of time.