Italian school; XVIII century.

Italian school; XVIII century.
"Reliquary bust".
Gilded copper and mamoline base.
Base of the twentieth century.
Measurements: 18 x 8 cm.
Bronze bust representing a religious, probably Saint Vincent de Paul. In the inferior zone, on the pedestal, a small border can be observed destined to the exhibition of a relic, associated with the protagonist. This type of reliquary was somewhat common since the Gothic period, usually mentioned as "testas" in the documentation contemporary to its realization and used to contain relics of the head, as carvings of arms, etc. were used for relics of another part of the body of the saint. It should be remembered, however, that at that time practically any element that had been in contact with the saint or his mortal remains (cloths, burial soil, etc.) was considered a sacred relic. The best examples were made of precious metals, but specimens such as the present one were also highly valued, both for the container and, above all, for the content. The evolution of the centuries can be seen in the details of the carvings.