A Rare Silver Religious Reliquary Casket From Barbastro (aragon), Circa 1600–1625 - Spain.

A rare silver religious reliquary casket from Barbastro (Aragon), circa 1600–1625 - Spain.

This rare reliquary casket, made of repoussé and chased silver, is rectangular in plan and rests on four ball feet.

The body is entirely decorated with incised scrolls featuring palmettes and symmetrical volutes, in a style still influenced by late Gothic, yet tempered by Renaissance elements.
The backgrounds are finely dotted, creating a sharp contrast with the reserved motifs.
The sloping lid repeats the same stylized vegetal decoration.
It is surmounted by a substantial architectural pedestal, topped with an openwork motif of opposing volutes framing a central vertical element ending in a finial.

This superstructure accentuates the monumental character of the piece despite its small size. An old side chain is present.
The hinge is original.

On the reverse, a hallmark is inset within a rectangular cartouche: the Barbastro (Aragon) mark, as recorded for the first quarter of the 17th century.

The typology, the repetitive incised decoration, and the treatment of the scrolls correspond precisely to the Aragonese production documented for Barbastro around 1600–1625.

This active center of the Crown of Aragon developed a conservative ornamental style, blending Gothic survivals with early Renaissance influences, which is highly identifiable. It is probably a casket intended to hold a pyxis, relics, or Eucharistic items for private devotion.

Condition:

Very good structural condition. Superficial wear consistent with age. No visible restoration.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information or to request additional photos of the items offered for sale.