Rare Reliquary With Scrolls—arma Christi And Instruments Of The Passion—18th Century

Rare scroll reliquary – Arma Christi and Instruments of the Passion – 18th century

Remarkable scroll reliquary featuring, in the center, a devotional engraving dedicated to the Passion of Christ.

The composition brings together the principal Arma Christi, or instruments of the Passion: the Veil of Veronica bearing the Holy Face, the crown of thorns, the ladder, the hammer, the pincers, the rooster symbolizing Saint Peter’s denial, the chalice, and various instruments associated with Christ’s torture.

Surrounding this image is a richly detailed decoration of paper scrolls, consisting of thin strips of rolled paper, shaped and arranged in arabesques against a red background. The composition contains numerous small fragments accompanied by handwritten strips, characteristic of the presentation of relics in this type of devotional work.

The central engraving bears a signature at the bottom that we read as “F. Hubern.” Our research has uncovered a reference to an F. Hubern listed as a printmaker; however, given the current state of research, it is not possible to establish his identity with certainty or to definitively attribute this engraving.

With its richly decorated design, the multitude of its reliquary elements, and its iconography entirely devoted to the Passion, this set is a beautiful example of these devotional works crafted with exceptional attention to detail.

An antique work, likely from the 18th century.
Preserved under glass in its gilded wooden frame