Gilded silver reliquary plaque, Rome, Papal States, first half of...
Gilded silver reliquary plaque, Rome, Papal States, first half of the 19th century, 22.5 x 16 cm—total weight 290 g
Rhomboid in shape with a hanging ring, featuring curved vegetal scrolls framing flower corollas; at the center is a small oval casket enclosed by beads containing a cross within a triangular motif embellished at the vertices with colorless faceted gems; all around is a gilded paper decoration imitating the finest goldsmithing using the “paperoles” technique, also known as “papier roulés”; at the top is a flaming heart and a radiating cross; at the bottom is the papal coat of arms of Gregory XVI Cappellari (1765–1846). Papal seal in use from 1815 onward.
Gilded silver reliquary plaque, Rome, Papal States, first half of the 19th century, 22.5 x 16 cm—total weight 290 g
Rhomboid in shape with a hanging ring, featuring curved vegetal scrolls framing flower corollas; at the center is a small oval casket enclosed by beads containing a cross within a triangular motif embellished at the vertices with colorless faceted gems; all around is a gilded paper decoration imitating the finest goldsmithing using the “paperoles” technique, also known as “papier roulés”; at the top is a flaming heart and a radiating cross; at the bottom is the papal coat of arms of Gregory XVI Cappellari (1765–1846). Papal seal in use from 1815 onward.
