Reliquary, Object Of Devotion In A Walnut, 18th Century.

This small reliquary in a nut is a rare object of folk art. The nut, intact, opens and contains behind a small mirror the Virgin in biscuit or porcelain on one side and a scene of characters on the other.
The glasses are very old, with bubbles and irregularities, one of them is cracked.
The Virgin and the very colorful characters are presented on a background lined with small shiny grains evoking a cave.
The hinge is made of a rectangle of cream parchment.

Please Note:
The closing hook is missing.
The Virgin is no longer fixed to the bottom and moves slightly.
The edge of the nut is painted in red with white details.

Rare and astonishing object, folk art from the 18th century or earlier.

Dimensions 5.5cm x 4cm x 3.5cm
Weight 27g