Reliquary Shrine With Skull — Relic Ex Capite Of Saint Concordia - Austria - Tyrol - 18th Century

Skull reliquary reliquary — relic ex capite of Saint Concordia - Tyrol - Austria - late 18th century.

Important devotional reliquary reliquary presenting a skull relic mounted in an anthropomorphic figure, displayed in an architecturally designed glass case.

Description:

The piece features an authentic skull wrapped in antique fabric, adorned with metallic threads, pearls, cabochons, and ribbons—following the tradition of so-called "dressed" reliquaries, intended to convey the embodied presence of the saint.

The head is surmounted by an openwork metal crown, topped with a globus cruciger, a symbol of spiritual sovereignty. A broad, gilded wooden radiating panel structures the composition, accentuating the theophanic dimension of the presentation.
The face is punctuated by decorative appliqués and rows of pearls highlighting the features, in a Baroque aesthetic typical of convent workshops.

At the base is a legible handwritten cartouche: "S. Concordia V.", identifying the relic as belonging to Saint Concordia, a virgin and martyr venerated in the Christian tradition.
The lower section reveals visible bone fragments under gauze, confirming the ostentatious nature of the relic.

The veneered wooden display case (burl or briar) rests on scroll feet, creating a self-contained presentation reminiscent of a domestic reliquary or oratory.

Relic terminology: relic ex capite—that is, a relic originating from the head/skull of the saint. In this specific case: cephalomorphic reliquary or dressed cranial reliquary.

Dimensions: Height: 56 cm x Width: 48 cm x Depth: 23 cm.

Condition:

Good, old structural condition with wear consistent with age: patinated textiles, preserved decorative elements, intact display case. The whole is homogeneous and shows no visible alterations.

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.

Please feel free to contact me for any further information or requests for additional photos of the items offered for sale.