Unique Reliquary Casket Containing The Head Of Saint Eutropia, Martyr - Italy, 18th Century

Reliquary of the Head of Saint Eutropia, Martyr - Italy, 18th Century.

A rare and spectacular reliquary in gilt and polychrome wood, in the shape of an inverted pyramid, glazed on all four sides and surmounted by a central finial.

Description:

The molded frame, richly decorated with carved scrolls and cherubs, features a blue background veined with gold, typical of 18th-century Italian Baroque workshops.

Inside rests the head (skull) of Saint Eutropia, Martyr, carefully displayed on a carved and gilt base, surrounded by sumptuous ornamentation in filigree gilt passementerie, inlaid with pearls and colored glass stones (blue, red, green).

This adornment, typical of relics from catacombs or of Roman martyrs, illustrates the Baroque devotion dedicated to the exaltation of the cult of saints through ornamental beauty.

The skull bears an old handwritten label, "S. Eutropiæ M.," authenticating the saint's identity.

The reverse is sealed with six red episcopal wax seals, bound with original threads.

One of these seals is perfectly legible, bearing the coat of arms of an Italian bishop (a crossed sword and flaming heart, surrounded by the inscription "Sigillum Ecclesiae").

These seals guarantee the integrity of the contents and the ecclesiastical conformity of the relic.

This type of reliquary, with its rare balance of architecture, symbolism, and ornamental virtuosity, was used for the public display of a major relic in a convent or urban church.

Dimensions: H. 70 cm x W. 51 cm x D. 34 cm

Condition:

Very good overall condition, some wear and retouching to the gilt decoration, one broken pane of glass, the whole in a fine state of preservation and authenticity.

Historical Commentary: The relics of martyred saints, often from the Roman catacombs, were enshrined in reliquaries of this type from the 17th century onwards, after authentication by ecclesiastical authorities.
These representations, known as corpora sanctorum, aimed to embody the heavenly glory of the martyr through a magnified earthly form.
The presence of the name "Eutropia" refers to several well-known martyrs, notably Saint Eutropia of Nicomedia, celebrated for her steadfastness in faith in the face of persecution.

This is an exceptional piece, extremely rare on the market, comparable to examples held in the Museum of the Treasures of the Catacombs in Rome or in Austrian and Bavarian convent collections.

In accordance with canon law (can. 1190 §1), this sale concerns only the reliquary as a sacred work of art. The relics it contains are not the subject of the transaction, but are included free of charge for their historical and cultural value.

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