Holy Water Font - Reliquary “of The Crown Of Thorns” Surrounded By Cherubs, Carved Wood, Gilded 18th Century

Unique holy water stoup - reliquary carefully carved in wood (roundbosse) and gilded with gold leaf. The base consists of a small holy water stoup basin in the shape of a shell, still containing its original tin insert. This basin is supported by three puttis, whose bodies and arms curl in a volute fashion like a rocaille element. The central part, framed on each side by a large acanthus leaf, the rectangular center houses an oval reliquary capsule (10 x 8 cm), glazed at the front and sealed at the back. It contains a sacred and extremely rare relic: a fragment of the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ. Above the relic, two winged puttis float in the air. They are crowned by a floral garland, which underlines the sacred celestial character of the object. Italy, probably Venice from the Rococo period, 18th century. As is (small re-gluing and small chips).