Double Paperolles - Travel Reliquary
The compartments are made of cardboard covered with brocaded silk decorated with bouquets of roses in shades of green and pink on a cream background.
The right panel features, in a medallion at the center, the profile of Louis de Gonzague (patron saint of Christian youth), surrounded by beautiful scrolls of orange-colored rolled paper with gilded edges, accompanied by his relic at the bottom.
On the right is certainly the profile of the Virgin with a tear, likely inscribed: *Dolorum Regina*?...
Each panel is protected by an original glass plate held in place by a cotton cord wrapped in metal wires.
There is normal wear on the fabric, as well as traces of old glue and dust—all of which are quite acceptable. I consider this object to be in good condition (given that it has survived to the present day), considering its fragility.
This diptych, which brings together Louis de Gonzague and the Queen Mother, echoes history; here are a few details (thanks to the Internet).
The connection between Gonzaga and the Queen of Sorrows (ReginaDolorum or Mater Dolorum) within a paperolles reliquarycan be explained by the religious history and piety of a great Italian princelyfamily.This connection revolves around threemain themes:
1/ Devotion to the Sorrows: Born into the extremely wealthy and powerful ducal House of Gonzaga, Louis renounced his titles to join the Jesuits. His spirituality was deeply rooted in meditation on the sufferingsof Christ and the Virgin Mary (Mater Dolorosa). Coexistence within the reliquary:Paper-roll reliquaries (mostly crafted by nunsfrom the 17th to the 19th centuries) very frequently paired the universal patron saintof the afflicted—the Queen of Sorrows—with the saint of purityand family sacrifice, Saint Louis de Gonzaga.
2/ The Gonzaga family of Mantua was one of thegreat collectors and providers of relics in Europe.Spread throughout Europe: A key figure was Marie-Louise de Gonzaga(1611–1667), Princess of Mantua who became Queen of Poland. She brought with her a profound devotion to the Passion of Christ and the Sorrowsof Mary, commissioning numerous devotional works of art and portable reliquariesfor her court.
3/ The Confraternities and the JesuitsIn the 17th and 18th centuries, theJesuits (the Order of St. Louis de Gonzaga) actively promoted “Pious Associations” or Confraternities.Many of these were placed under the dual patronage of the ImmaculateConception or Our Lady of Sorrows, and Saint Louis de Gonzague. Theseassociations often presented their members with small,domestic-style reliquaries bearing the inscriptions of their two patrons.
Please feel free to contact me for more information.
Shipping: €15 for mainland France. Other locations: contact me.
Period: 18th century
Style: Other Style
Condition: Good condition
Material: Linen
Length: 8.5 cm
Width: 6 cm
Height: 3 cm
Reference (ID): 1834820
Availability: In stock






































