18th century box reliquary of Saint Nepomucene.
Material: polychrome wood, filigree, precious stones, fabric. Dimensions 46 x 39 x 7 cm.
St. John Nepomucen was born around 1350 in Pomuko, died March 20, 1393 in Prague. He was vicar general of the Prague archdiocese, and was thrown off a bridge into the Vltava River following a dispute with the King of Bohemia. The scene is reflected in the reliquary.
A wooden box of irregular shape, the vitrine closed with glass. Wood polychromed in golden color with local losses. The edges show red clay primer. The composition of the reliquary is in two parts. In the upper part there is the main content, i.e. the representation of the figure of Saint Nepomucene holding a cross. The figure is painted. Around it are placed in decorative borders four relics. All of them secured with banderole with the names of the saints. The statue and relics were decorated with branches made of filigree, sequins and precious stones. The whole thing was placed on a navy blue cloth. The lower part of the reliquary illustrates the death of Nepomucen in the currents of the Vltava River. The back part of the box was covered with paper and secured with fabric tapes. In turn, wax seals with a seal imprint were applied to them. All intact. The reliquary has a wooden leg at the back, allowing it to stand.