Antique Eighteenth Century Religious Paperolle Reliquary

An elaborate convent/monastery work, it is French and dates towards 1780. It originates from a fine collection found in Paris, France.

The hand painted scene (gouache on paper) is poignant; depicting Mary holding a death shroud with the image of Christ. Her expression is full of emotion. The round painting is surrounded by in incredible number of hand worked paper scrolls which form framing and a background field. Four large hearts at each corner hold relics (the names written on the scrolls are very faded and not legible). The paper strip scrolls are in vibrant colors of orange, French blue, crimson red and sage green. Some of the papers have a gilded edge.

The work is placed in a gilded wooden frame of a later period. The etiquette remains on the back from the framing atelier. It measures 10 1/4" x 8" x 5/8" thick. The paperolle design is in amazing condition with no loss to the design. The frame has loss of gilt and chipping at the edges which is typical with age.

This reliquary would have taken many, many hours of meticulous work in candlelight. It is precious representative of Christ, faith and remembrance.