Spanish Reliquary, 1st Third Century.

This elegant piece of religious decorative art is a nickel silver or German silver reliquary made in the first third of the 20th century. The reliquary is in excellent condition and boasts a decorative and stylish look, being a wonderful article to embellish any room or become part of a good collection. It has a solid and simple square base supported by four small legs, on which stands a stem in the shape of a angel. The figure is holding the top of the piece, also called sun, which contains a circular compartments designed to store the relic. This compartment is surrounded by a series of stylized rays and crowned by a charming sculptural group composed of a cross and two little angels.The sculptural quality of this reliquary is probably its best feature. The central figure of the stem, engraved by hand, is the most remarkable piece: it depicts a standing angel-child that is bending his left knee in a gracious pose and holds the sun with the relic. The angel is naked except for a robe that wraps his waist and that nevertheless discovers his back. To his left there is a rock on which he leans slightly. The figure is holding easily a cup-shaped piece that is actually the base of the top part.The compartment for the relic is covered by red fabric inside and has no glass. It is framed by eight symmetrical rays and crowned, as stated before, by a small group of figures: a Latin cross flanked by two little flying angels. At the back of the sun we can see two marks engraved in the metal: one with the number 10800 and the other with the inscription CASTE. Both marks are also engraved on the base, just by the circular stand decorated with putti (angel-boys) head on which the figure stands.This reliquary delicacy and beauty will turn it into the most remarkable piece of any room or of a showcase bound to exhibit fine antiques.Measurements: Width: 21.5 cm/8.4 in. Height: 38.5 cm/15.1 in.