Articles
Reliquary arm* in carved wood, decorated with an amethyst under the hand, dedicated to Saint Nicholas**, from the early 19th century.
This reliquary arm is in good condition and is of good quality. An explanatory note under the relic indicates that it was previously in an 18th century reliquary.
Please note: three fingers of the hand have been restored (see red arrows), the base where the arm was inserted is missing, traces of restorations, old wormholes, some cracks in the wood, wear and tear, see photos.
A reliquary is originally a kind of casket intended to house one or more relics. Reliquaries are in fact of a great variety of shape and use. Some portable reliquaries intended for the exhibition of relics are called monstrances. Others, taking the form of the object they contain, are called topical (thus the bust-reliquaries and head-reliquaries which generally contain all or part of the skull of a saint, the arm-reliquaries, etc.). The arm-reliquaries, the foot-reliquaries and the leg-reliquaries thus take on the general form of the limbs they contain.
** Nicholas of Myra (270-345) was a bishop of the Eastern Empire renowned for his charity and fighting faith. Canonized, he was proclaimed protector of many nations and trades, and is a popular figure in Christian hagiography. His Christian commemoration on December 6 is a very popular holiday in many countries around the world. On Saint Nicholas Day, tradition dictates that children who have been good throughout the year receive treats, varying in nature depending on the region, and gifts. He is honored as the patron saint of schoolchildren.
