Large Reliquary With Angels - 17th Century

Carved from wood, our reliquary is beautifully polychromed and gilded.
Likely an Italian piece from the late 17th century, it is adorned with two symmetrical cherubs bearing the palm of martyrdom and a crown at the top. It contains two reliquary niches: one heart-shaped, decorated with four red hearts, and the other oval, surrounded by a braided wreath and embellished with twelve blue stars. The image of the twelve stars, representing the Virgin Mary, is directly inspired by the Book of Revelation (12:1): “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” Red hearts are often associated with Christ, a symbol of his infinite love and passion.
Here, the arrangement of the four hearts could represent the four wounds of Christ: those of his hands and feet, the fifth being the wound in his side, which is often depicted alone.
Some pieces are missing, notably the cross at the top.
Used condition. Dimensions: 88 cm high x 60 cm wide.
Reference 616