Small Oval Silver Reliquary Containing A Relic Of Saint Denis; 19th Century, Paris

An elegant small oval reliquary, crafted from silver, featuring two figurative angels on its sides. Its small size and delicate decoration make it a particularly refined object, intended for the preservation and veneration of a relic.

The reliquary contains a fragment attributed to Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris and a major figure in early Christianity in Gaul. According to Christian tradition, Saint Denis was sent to evangelize Gaul in the 3rd century and became the first bishop of Paris. Martyred alongside his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius, he is traditionally associated with the Basilica of Saint-Denis, which later became the burial ground of the kings of France. Saint Denis is generally depicted holding his head in his hands, in reference to his martyrdom.

On the back, inside the reliquary, there is a red wax ecclesiastical seal, still intact, whose origin has yet to be determined. This seal is a particularly interesting element for understanding the history and provenance of the relic.

Dimensions: approximately 1 cm in height, excluding the loop.

An ancient devotional object, both modest in size and remarkable for the presence of its relic as well as its ecclesiastical seal.

Police Registry Ref.: A187

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