18th century reliquary of Saint Ursula.
Dimensions 29.5 x 23.5 x 4 cm.
Material: wood, fabric, filigree, precious stones.
Saint Ursula, born in Cornwall?, died. ca. 304 or 451 in Cologne.
According to legend, she was a Romano-British princess who set out on a journey to visit her future husband, the pagan prince Conan Meriadoc of Armorica in Brittany. During her journey, a mysterious storm carried her to a Gallic port on the Rhine, and she was murdered by the Huns in Cologne when she rejected Attila's advances.
The reliquary is in the form of a display case, and is housed in a wooden frame measuring 29.5 x 23.5 x 4 cm. Inside is a glass-protected reliquary. In the central part is placed probably a gouache with the image of Saint Ursula. In the four corners are signed relics: 1. of Saint Ursula, 2. of Saint Felicitas, Roman martyr, (died c. 160 or 165 in Rome) - a Christian martyr during the reign of Emperor Antoninus or Marcus Aurelius, a saint of the Catholic and Orthodox Church. 3. St. Chrysogonus-lived 3rd or 4th century, Roman priest, probably bishop of Aquileia, during religious persecution under Emperor Diocletian imprisoned and exiled to Aquileia, where he suffered martyrdom by beheading and throwing his body into the sea 4. Aegydijabb (?) The whole is surrounded by a decorative composition, made of ribbons enriched with filigree, gilding and stones. Access to the reliquary is at the back. Secured by glued paper tapes.The whole is completed by a fabric tape, bearing wax seals with seal impressions, which ensures the originality of the reliquary.
A very nice, decorative item in very good condition.