Ypres, 1770–1775, Reliquary Of Saint Francis Of Assisi, Solid Silver And Vermeil, De Coene

Rare reliquary of Saint Francis of Assisi made of solid silver, partially gilded.
Ypres, 1773.
Philippus Josephus De Coene, master silversmith in Ypres from 1744.
Height: 23 cm – width: 18 cm.

This remarkable oval reliquary consists of an oak core covered with burgundy-colored fabric, upon which is applied an abundant rocaille decoration in solid silver, partially gilded.

The relic of Saint Francis of Assisi is enclosed in a first silver reliquary capsule, sealed with a glass pane. This capsule retains its authentication threads and its wax seal bearing the coat of arms of a bishop—likely Italian, judging by the shape of the shield. A handwritten label identifies the relic with the inscription “S. Franc. Assisi.”

This sealed capsule is itself placed within a second oval compartment, situated at the center of the reliquary and edged with a gilded silver molding. It is protected by a second small pane of glass, which is currently cracked and is scheduled to be replaced.

The central composition is surrounded by a spectacular openwork grille made of solid silver. Crafted from thick silver sheet, entirely worked using the repoussé technique, cut, and chased by hand, it features an exuberant Rococo-style decoration combining asymmetrical volutes, shells, flowers, and foliage. This highly dynamic ornamentation is a fine example of the flamboyant Rococo style still in vogue in the Austrian Netherlands in the early 1770s.

In the lower section, several religious emblems appear that are directly linked to Saint Francis and his deep identification with the suffering Christ: the heart pierced by the three nails of the Cross, various instruments recalling the Flagellation of Christ, and the long Franciscan cord. Saint Francis, who received the stigmata on Mount Alverne in 1224, was regarded as the alter Christus, the living image of the crucified Christ. The combination of the instruments of the Passion and the Franciscan cord thus serves as a reminder of his life of penance, his imitation of Christ, and the miracle of the stigmata.

The reliquary can be completely disassembled. Four fasteners placed around the perimeter hold the large oval ring made of gilded silver in place; this ring, in turn, holds the openwork grille, the burgundy fabric, and the oak core. This design allowed access to the central capsule while ensuring the relic’s protection.

The hallmarks are concealed beneath the large gilded ring. Clearly visible is the master’s mark “DC” beneath a crown, identified as that of Philippus Josephus De Coene, born around 1713, who became a master goldsmith in Ypres in 1744 and died there in 1776.

The reliquary does not bear a legible year mark. Its companion piece, with a matching construction and decoration and containing relics of Saint Louis, does, however, bear a complete set of hallmarks: the same crowned DC master’s mark, accompanied by the Ypres year mark for 1773. The fact that the two reliquaries were made as a set—confirmed by their perfectly matching technique, dimensions, and rocaille decoration—allows us to date this example to 1773 as well.

De Coene’s preserved or cataloged works include several religious pieces, notably chalices, ciboria, monstrances, and reliquaries. Among the latter are a reliquary of Saint Aubert dated 1751, a reliquary of Saint Sebastian from 1760, another reliquary dated 1765, a reliquary of Saint John the Baptist from 1770, and a reliquary of Saint Sebastian from 1775. This piece thus significantly enriches the known body of work by this Ypres-based goldsmith.