Altar-shaped Reliquary Made Of Paper Rolls - 19th Century

This large, altar-shaped reliquary is made of gilded paper rolls and adorned with white beads, set against a rich floral design.
Four steps made of rolled paper lead up to the altar, forming atrue path toward the Cross. They hold 21 relics of saints,each identified by a label.
On the first step, representing the feminine principle, the following saints are honored: Saint Cecilia,Saint Jeanne-Françoise de Chantal, Saint Céleste, Saint Anne, and Saint Rose.
The second step holds the relics of Saint Bernardine, Saint Francis de Sales, Saint Augustine, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Dominic, and Saint Vincent de Paul.
The third step holds the relics of Saints Catherine, Margaret,Claire, Thérèse, and Germaine Cousin.
Finally, the fourth step displays the relics of Saints Elizabeth,Agnes, Justina, Agatha, and Brigitta.
The antependium holds two relics from the Holy Crib, while thepredella holds six relics attributed to the Holy Apostles.
At the foot of thetabernacle, which contains an Agnus Dei, are placed relics of theevangelists Saint Mark and Saint Luke.
The decoration also includes relics of Saint Felix of Valois,Saint Victor, Saint Joseph, as well as a final relic, that of the Holy Cross,placed beneath Christ.
In the upper section, among the heavenly figures, are depictedSaint Francis Regis, Benedict Simeon, Albon, Lucien, and Maximin.
The piece is set in a Napoleon III-style frame made of blackened wood,retaining its original domed glass.
The mounting is in good overall condition, with a few tiny losses to the paper strips and beads.
The frame, however, has several missing pieces.
Dimensions: 64 by 56 cm.
A remarkable reliquary due to its size, the richness of its decoration, and above all by the large number of relics gathered in this set intended for devotion.
Reference 891

Cannot be shipped via postal parcel due to the fragility of this type of reliquary.