A Late 17th Century Spectacular Monstrance Reliquary For Martyrs

This is a spectacular altar element, both due to its significant size and its richness of execution. In carved and gilded wood, our large monstrance - polylobed reliquary is decorated with rockeries and acanthus leaves. Crowned with a winged angel, it houses in three glass compartments the holy relics of 17 martyrs, surrounded by rich montages of embroidery in gold or silver thread, as well as numerous trimmings and beads representing a floral and foliage decoration. Our main monstrance is centered on a miniature of the Virgin and Child on watercolor. Our monstrances, on a red velvet background, are decorated with four medallions of white wax.
The monstrance on the right is particularly interesting and valuable for the analysis of our reliquary, because it designates Pope Alexander III, a pope whose pontificate was short-lived (1689-1691).

The Saints, all Martyrs, honored by this piece exceptions are: Saint Justi, Saint Concordia, Saint Austeriae, Saint Felicis, Saint Reparatae, Saint Clementiae, Saint Columbae, Saint Theodore, Saint Benedictae, Saint Innocenti, Saint Hilarinae, Saint Criscentis, Saint Grata, Saint Justera

Provenance: Former cloister from South Tyrol – Northern Italy.
Very late 17th century, early 18th century
Dimensions of 145 cm high by 106 long and 18 wide. Restored