Reliquary Pendant For Devotion To Saint François De Sales

Saint François de Sales devotional reliquary pendant - France or Savoie -XVIIIth century.

Authentic oval reliquary pendant under glass, finely decorated with paperolles, gilded metallic threads and polychrome silk flowers.

Description

The obverse features a delicate painted miniature depicting Saint François de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop of Geneva, Doctor of the Church and founder, with Saint Jeanne-Françoise de Chantal, of the Order of the Visitation.

The reverse contains a remarkable assemblage of relics arranged in radiating compartments around a central medallion in relief depicting Saint Jean Népomucène. Identified relics include:

- Relic of the flesh of Saint François de Sales
- Fragment of Agnus Dei
- Relic of the skull of Sainte Mercurie
- Relic of Sainte Marie-Madeleine de Pazzi
- Relic of the flesh of Sainte Jeanne-Françoise de Chantal
- Relic of Saint Amand
- Relic of Sainte Benigne
- Relic of Sainte Félicienne

The ensemble bears witness to particularly refined monastic workmanship, characteristic of 18th-century devotional productions intended for private devotion. The joint presence of Saint François de Sales and Saint Jeanne-Françoise de Chantal underscores a direct link with Visitandine spirituality.

Condition:

good condition with minor wear and alterations consistent with age.

Saint François de Sales is considered one of the great masters of Catholic spirituality. Patron saint of writers and journalists, he is particularly venerated for his teaching based on gentleness, charity and the accessibility of the spiritual life to all the faithful.

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

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