Antique Reliquary With Relics Of The Holy Sepulchre And The Holy Manger Of Jesus Christ

Important antique Christological reliquary, of small format, with an oval case in silver-plated metal and several relics directly linked to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Its main interest does not lie in the richness of the reliquary, but in the relics it preserves inside, centered on Christ, from the Most Holy Sepulchre to the Holy Crib and to Jesus Christ Himself, D. N. J. C., Domini Nostri Jesu Christi.

Inside, arranged on a red textile background, the reliquary preserves several Christological relics identified by old handwritten labels. The upper relic is marked as coming from the Most Holy Sepulchre, while the lower one corresponds to the Holy Crib of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Between them there is a central relic accompanied by the inscription D. N. J. C., the Latin abbreviation of Domini Nostri Jesu Christi, "Our Lord Jesus Christ", further reinforcing the deeply Christological character of the piece.

The reliquary contains Christological relics directly linked to Our Lord Jesus Christ, identified by the following labels:

• • Ex SS. Sepulcro D. N. J. C.: relic of the Most Holy Sepulchre of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
• • D. N. J. C.: Christological inscription alluding to Our Lord Jesus Christ, placed next to a central relic.
• • Ex S. Praesepii D. N. J. C.: relic of the Holy Crib of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

This combination gives the piece a very special spiritual strength, as it brings together in a single reliquary direct references to the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. Bethlehem and Jerusalem, the Crib and the Sepulchre, appear united in one same devotional piece of enormous symbolic and religious intensity. It is not common to find antique reliquaries centered on such specific Christological relics, even less so gathered in such a small and evocative format.

The interior ensemble is organized with simplicity, but also with that devotional sense so characteristic of antique reliquaries, where each element has a sober and deeply expressive presence. The exterior case, oval and made of silver-plated metal, presents relief decoration and an upper suspension ring, reinforcing its character as a piece intended for preservation and veneration.

The reverse shows in relief an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus surrounded by rays, a very appropriate detail in a piece of marked Christological character. In addition, it preserves the wax seal with its threads, an important element within this type of object, as it testifies to its closure and preservation within a formal religious context.

This is a particularly attractive piece because of the intensity of its religious message and the importance of its relics, directly linked to Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an object of deep spiritual charge, ideal for a serious collection of religious antiques or for a person of faith who wishes to preserve a devotional piece centered on Christ. Its small size does not diminish its importance; on the contrary, it concentrates in an intimate and restrained format a truly exceptional religious presence.

Measurements: Total height: 4 cm (1.57 in). Total width: 3.5 cm (1.38 in).