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Antique Reliquary With Relics Of The 12 Apostles And Saint Joseph, 19th C.
Important antique reliquary, dated to the 19th century, with a devotional ensemble centred on the Twelve Apostles and presided over in the centre by a relic of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary. This is a piece of special religious interest because of the composition of its relics. The reliquary brings together a clearly apostolic reading, reinforced by the central presence of Saint Joseph as a protective figure of Christ and of the Holy Family.
The case is oval, made of silver-plated metal, with a glass front and an upper ring for hanging. The interior preserves a red textile background on which the relics are arranged in small oval reserves, surrounded by metallic thread and separated by a gilded decorative structure. The labels are handwritten with a pen nib or quill, a detail that adds authenticity and fits with the dating of the piece to the 19th century. The reverse has a silver-plated metal cover. When it is removed, access is gained to the original closure, where the threads and the intact red wax seal are preserved.
The 13 relics it contains are:
1. S. Joseph. Sp. V. M. - Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary: He occupies the centre of the reliquary because of his essential role as custodian of Jesus and spouse of Mary. He accompanied Christ from His birth and protected the Holy Family. His spiritual contribution lies in his example of fatherhood, humility, obedience and faithful silence.
2. S. Petri Ap. - Saint Peter the Apostle: He was called by Jesus beside the Sea of Galilee, when he was working as a fisherman with his brother Andrew. He became one of Christ's closest disciples and a principal figure of the early Church. Tradition recognises him as the first shepherd of the Christian community and the visible foundation of the Church.
3. S. Pauli Ap. - Saint Paul the Apostle: He did not belong to the group of the Twelve, but converted after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. He preached throughout Asia Minor, Greece and Rome, bringing the Christian faith to the Gentile world. His letters were decisive in formulating much of early Christian thought.
4. S. Andreae Ap. - Saint Andrew the Apostle: He was one of the first disciples called by Jesus and the brother of Saint Peter. Tradition places him preaching in Greece and in the regions of the Black Sea. His figure represents the first following of Christ and the missionary expansion towards the East.
5. S. Thomae Ap. - Saint Thomas the Apostle: He formed part of the group of the Twelve and is remembered for his initial doubt before the Resurrection. After recognising the risen Christ, he pronounced one of the most intense confessions of faith in the Gospel. Tradition attributes to him the evangelisation of India.
6. S. Barthol. Ap. - Saint Bartholomew the Apostle: Often identified with Nathanael, he was introduced to Jesus by Philip. Tradition connects him with the evangelisation of Armenia, Mesopotamia, Persia or India. His presence recalls the early spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish world.
7. S. Matthaei Ap. - Saint Matthew the Apostle: He was a tax collector when Jesus called him to follow Him. He left his occupation to become a disciple and witness of the Gospel. Tradition links him with the Gospel of Matthew, one of the essential texts for the transmission of Christ's teaching.
8. S. Joann. Ap. - Saint John the Apostle: He was called by Jesus together with his brother James the Greater and became one of His closest disciples. Tradition links him to Ephesus and to the fourth Gospel. His legacy is associated with a deeply spiritual vision of Christ as the incarnate Word.
9. S. Philippi Ap. - Saint Philip the Apostle: He was called by Jesus at the beginning of His public life. In the Gospel he appears as one who leads others towards Christ. Tradition connects him with preaching in Asia Minor and with the direct transmission of the Christian message.
10. S. Jac. Min. Ap. - Saint James the Less the Apostle: He was one of the Twelve and is usually identified with James son of Alphaeus. Christian tradition links him to the community of Jerusalem. His importance lies in his connection with the first Church and with the continuity of apostolic preaching.
11. S. Jac. Maj. Ap. - Saint James the Greater the Apostle: He was called by Jesus while fishing in Galilee together with his brother John. He formed part of Christ's closest circle. Tradition connects him with the evangelisation of Hispania and with one of the most widespread apostolic cults in the West.
12. S. Thadd. Ap. - Saint Jude Thaddaeus the Apostle: He was one of the Twelve, distinct from Judas Iscariot. Tradition presents him preaching in Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia, often together with Saint Simon. His devotion has remained especially linked to intercession in difficult causes.
13. S. Simonis Ap. - Saint Simon the Apostle: Known as Simon the Zealot, he formed part of the group of the Twelve chosen by Jesus. Tradition places him preaching in Egypt, Mesopotamia or Persia. His figure is linked to apostolic faithfulness and to the early expansion of Christianity.
The strength of this reliquary lies in the extraordinary devotional concentration of its content: the Twelve Apostles gathered in a single piece and Saint Joseph placed at the centre as a protective, paternal and deeply Christian presence. Its value does not lie in outward ostentation, but in the spiritual strength of its content: thirteen identified relics, handwritten labels, red textile, metallic threads and an intact rear wax seal that reinforces the devotional authenticity of the ensemble. It is a small piece, but one of enormous religious density, conceived to preserve and venerate an exceptional synthesis of the Christian faith: the apostolic Church gathered around Saint Joseph, custodian of Jesus and protector of the Holy Family.
Few reliquaries of this size offer such a complete, intimate and attractive composition for devotion. The presence of the Twelve Apostles turns the piece into a direct testimony of apostolic tradition, while Saint Joseph adds a family, protective and close dimension that notably increases its spiritual strength.
An antique, authentic and highly evocative reliquary, ideal for collectors of sacred art and, especially, for devotees of Saint Joseph who are looking for a piece with real content, sober beauty and deep religious meaning.
Measurements: Height 4.8 cm (1.89 in). Width 5.5 cm (2.17 in).
The case is oval, made of silver-plated metal, with a glass front and an upper ring for hanging. The interior preserves a red textile background on which the relics are arranged in small oval reserves, surrounded by metallic thread and separated by a gilded decorative structure. The labels are handwritten with a pen nib or quill, a detail that adds authenticity and fits with the dating of the piece to the 19th century. The reverse has a silver-plated metal cover. When it is removed, access is gained to the original closure, where the threads and the intact red wax seal are preserved.
The 13 relics it contains are:
1. S. Joseph. Sp. V. M. - Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary: He occupies the centre of the reliquary because of his essential role as custodian of Jesus and spouse of Mary. He accompanied Christ from His birth and protected the Holy Family. His spiritual contribution lies in his example of fatherhood, humility, obedience and faithful silence.
2. S. Petri Ap. - Saint Peter the Apostle: He was called by Jesus beside the Sea of Galilee, when he was working as a fisherman with his brother Andrew. He became one of Christ's closest disciples and a principal figure of the early Church. Tradition recognises him as the first shepherd of the Christian community and the visible foundation of the Church.
3. S. Pauli Ap. - Saint Paul the Apostle: He did not belong to the group of the Twelve, but converted after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. He preached throughout Asia Minor, Greece and Rome, bringing the Christian faith to the Gentile world. His letters were decisive in formulating much of early Christian thought.
4. S. Andreae Ap. - Saint Andrew the Apostle: He was one of the first disciples called by Jesus and the brother of Saint Peter. Tradition places him preaching in Greece and in the regions of the Black Sea. His figure represents the first following of Christ and the missionary expansion towards the East.
5. S. Thomae Ap. - Saint Thomas the Apostle: He formed part of the group of the Twelve and is remembered for his initial doubt before the Resurrection. After recognising the risen Christ, he pronounced one of the most intense confessions of faith in the Gospel. Tradition attributes to him the evangelisation of India.
6. S. Barthol. Ap. - Saint Bartholomew the Apostle: Often identified with Nathanael, he was introduced to Jesus by Philip. Tradition connects him with the evangelisation of Armenia, Mesopotamia, Persia or India. His presence recalls the early spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish world.
7. S. Matthaei Ap. - Saint Matthew the Apostle: He was a tax collector when Jesus called him to follow Him. He left his occupation to become a disciple and witness of the Gospel. Tradition links him with the Gospel of Matthew, one of the essential texts for the transmission of Christ's teaching.
8. S. Joann. Ap. - Saint John the Apostle: He was called by Jesus together with his brother James the Greater and became one of His closest disciples. Tradition links him to Ephesus and to the fourth Gospel. His legacy is associated with a deeply spiritual vision of Christ as the incarnate Word.
9. S. Philippi Ap. - Saint Philip the Apostle: He was called by Jesus at the beginning of His public life. In the Gospel he appears as one who leads others towards Christ. Tradition connects him with preaching in Asia Minor and with the direct transmission of the Christian message.
10. S. Jac. Min. Ap. - Saint James the Less the Apostle: He was one of the Twelve and is usually identified with James son of Alphaeus. Christian tradition links him to the community of Jerusalem. His importance lies in his connection with the first Church and with the continuity of apostolic preaching.
11. S. Jac. Maj. Ap. - Saint James the Greater the Apostle: He was called by Jesus while fishing in Galilee together with his brother John. He formed part of Christ's closest circle. Tradition connects him with the evangelisation of Hispania and with one of the most widespread apostolic cults in the West.
12. S. Thadd. Ap. - Saint Jude Thaddaeus the Apostle: He was one of the Twelve, distinct from Judas Iscariot. Tradition presents him preaching in Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia, often together with Saint Simon. His devotion has remained especially linked to intercession in difficult causes.
13. S. Simonis Ap. - Saint Simon the Apostle: Known as Simon the Zealot, he formed part of the group of the Twelve chosen by Jesus. Tradition places him preaching in Egypt, Mesopotamia or Persia. His figure is linked to apostolic faithfulness and to the early expansion of Christianity.
The strength of this reliquary lies in the extraordinary devotional concentration of its content: the Twelve Apostles gathered in a single piece and Saint Joseph placed at the centre as a protective, paternal and deeply Christian presence. Its value does not lie in outward ostentation, but in the spiritual strength of its content: thirteen identified relics, handwritten labels, red textile, metallic threads and an intact rear wax seal that reinforces the devotional authenticity of the ensemble. It is a small piece, but one of enormous religious density, conceived to preserve and venerate an exceptional synthesis of the Christian faith: the apostolic Church gathered around Saint Joseph, custodian of Jesus and protector of the Holy Family.
Few reliquaries of this size offer such a complete, intimate and attractive composition for devotion. The presence of the Twelve Apostles turns the piece into a direct testimony of apostolic tradition, while Saint Joseph adds a family, protective and close dimension that notably increases its spiritual strength.
An antique, authentic and highly evocative reliquary, ideal for collectors of sacred art and, especially, for devotees of Saint Joseph who are looking for a piece with real content, sober beauty and deep religious meaning.
Measurements: Height 4.8 cm (1.89 in). Width 5.5 cm (2.17 in).
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