Pair Of Gilded Wooden Reliquary Busts, Central Italy – Second Half Of The 16th Century

Pair of giltwood reliquary busts of saints, Central Italy, probably Tuscany – Second half of the 16th century.

These two giltwood busts are typical of late Renaissance Central Italian production, depicting two saints mounted in reliquaries. On the left, a saint holds a scroll, a palm branch, and a book, possibly Saint Catherine of Siena. On the right, another saint also holds a palm branch and a model of a tower, suggesting Saint Barbara. The faces, with their delicate features, are enhanced with polychromy, while the garments and attributes are covered in gold leaf, highlighting the technical refinement of the period.
The busts, designed to house relics, are framed by a gilt medallion, recalling their devotional function. The bases, also gilt, reinforce their sacred character.