Pair Of Monstrances - Reliquaries "s.joannes Nep.-s.antonius" Carved Wood, Gilded, 18th Century

Large pair of monstrances - reliquaries from the Baroque period, finely carved, in wood covered with gold leaf. The upper part of each monstrance has a profiled rectangular frame, containing a delicate monastic work (- of Sisters) adorned with four small bundles of relics, carefully arranged behind their original glass. Each base as well as the frame are richly decorated with carved volutes, interlaced openwork and acanthus leaves in relief - stylistic elements characteristic of the flamboyant Baroque. The two monastic works ( 23 x 29 cm ) each consist of a pious image ( 7 x 9 cm, representing respectively " S.JOANNES NEP." ( Saint John of Nepomuk) and " S. ANTONIUS" ( Saint Anthony ). Each image is surrounded by a rich montage of monastic passementeries: foliage and flowers finely made using gold and silver metal threads, glass beads and small fabric flowers. In each corner are small packages of relics of saints and martyrs, accompanied by labels bearing their names in Latin. On the reverse side, episcopal seals in red wax. Provenance: collection of a former Catholic priest in Salzburg (Austria). As is (the gilding retouched).