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Home>>Curated Collections>>Arma Christi, Relics of the Instruments of Christ's Passion Collection

Arma Christi, Relics of the Instruments of Christ's Passion Collection

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The Passion of Christ is the sum total of events that brought physical and spiritual suffering to Jesus Christ in the last days and hours of his earthly life. A special place among the Passion of Christ is occupied by the events that occurred after the Last Supper: His arrest, judgment, scourging and execution — the culminating moment of Christ's Passion. Relics of the Passion, also known as Arma Christi, are artefacts from the first century, preserved by the Catholic Church and venerated by Christians of all denominations.

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1867 French silver reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

1867 French silver reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

Spectacular large cruciform reliquary monstrance made of lacquered wood decorated with a silver figure of crucified Christ, silver finials, and plaques depicting Skull over Crossed Bones and the Lamb of God. A removable ornate theca housing particles from the wood from the True Cross of Jesus Christ is placed in the oval cavity at the base of the monstrance. The relics are displayed in a cruciform shape surrounded by paperolle ornamentation and are identified in Latin on a manuscript cedula label as S. Crusis D.N.J.C. (Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ). On its back, the theca is secured by an undisturbed seal of red Spanish wax with an imprint of a coat of arms of Father Dominique Lacaes, the Abbot of the Trappist monastery of Sainte-Marie du Mont in Godewaersvelde, France (1847–1883). On the back, the base of the monstrance has a hinged-door compartment that reveals the original matching authentics document issued and signed by Abbot Lacaes in 1867.

  • ID# 06-RSGAR-21
  • Size The reliquary is 26 1/2 inches (67 cm) high
  • Age ca. 1867
  • Origin Godewaersvelde, France
  • Materials wood, silver, brass, glass, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 06-RSGAR-21
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Spectacular silver reliquary theca with a relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

Spectacular silver reliquary theca with a relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

Spectacular large silver crystal-fronted reliquary decorated with opulent floral ornamentation housing significant relics of the wood from the True Cross. The sizable relics are arranged in a crucifix shape, affixed to the background of gold silk decorated with paperole and silver wire ornamentation and identified on a paper cedula label as Lingo + D.N.J.C.  ([of] the wood of the True Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ). On the back, the theca is secured with a perfectly preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of an unidentified Catholic Bishop. The reliquary comes housed in a period fitted silk-covered case.

  • ID# 279-RSCR-85
  • Size 16 x 11 cm (6 1/4 x 4 nches)
  • Age ca. 1820s
  • Origin Italy
  • Materials silver, crystal, paper, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 279-RSCR-85
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1907 documented reliquary with relic of the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ

1907 documented reliquary with relic of the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ

An attractive ornate glass-fronted hallmarked silver pendant reliquary theca decorated around the opening with the Crown of Thorns, housing precious relic of the Thorn from the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ. The relic is displayed on the ground of red silk surrounded by the image of the Crown of Thorns. On the back, under a protective cap, the reliquary is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of Monsignor François-Marie-Benjamin Richard (†1908), Archbishop of Paris (1875-1908), France. The relic is accompanied by the original matching authentics document issued by Cardinal Richard in 1907 where the relic is described in Latin as sacram particulam Spinae Coronae D.N.J.C. (a precious part from the Thorn of the Crown of Thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ).

  • ID# 63-RSSR-2
  • Size 65 mm across
  • Age ca. 1907
  • Origin Paris, France
  • Materials silver, glass, paper, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price (RESERVED)
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 63-RSSR-2
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1867 Documented Reliquary with facsimile Relics of the Holy Nails of Jesus Christ

1867 Documented Reliquary with facsimile Relics of the Holy Nails of Jesus Christ

Finely-cast bronze French Gothic style reliquary cabinet containing three facsimile third-class touch relics of the Holy Nails of Jesus Christ. The nails are certified by the individual seals of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of the Monastery of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem in Rome. The relics are identified in French on a fancy cedula label as Fac simile des Clous de la Vraie Croix (Facsimile of the Nails of the True Cross).

The reliquary cabinet contains the original matching authentics document stating the following:

We attest to each and every one reading the present document that the enclosed three iron nails fastened with red silk ribbons to the secure seals, were placed near the Sacred Nail, the very sacred relic with which Our Lord Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross, that We, the Cistercians preserved in the inner chapel of the urban Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and the nails were made artistically to be elaborate so that it may seem very similar to the original. This document is issued in Rome in our Monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem on July 2, 1867.

The reliquary is suitable for private and public veneration. 

  • ID# 37-RSSR-2
  • Size 14 inches tall x 9 inches across x 6 1/2 inches deep (35 cm x 23 cm x 17 cm)
  • Age ca. 1867
  • Origin Rome, Italy
  • Materials Bronze, glass, velvet, silk, wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 37-RSSR-2
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1870 Documented reliquary frame with facsimile relic of the Holy Nail of Jesus Christ

1870 Documented reliquary frame with facsimile relic of the Holy Nail of Jesus Christ

An attractive French glass-fronted frame of lacquered wood containing a facsimile third-class touch relic of the Holy Nail of Jesus Christ. The relic is certified by a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of the Monastery of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem in Rome. 

The reliquary frame contains an original matching authentics document stating the following:

We attest to each and every one reading the present document that the enclosed three iron nails fastened with red silk ribbons to the secure seals, were placed near the Sacred Nail, the very sacred relic with which Our Lord Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross, that We, the Cistercians preserved in the inner chapel of the urban Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and the nails were made artistically to be elaborate so that it may seem very similar to the original. This document is issued in Rome in our Monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem on July 2, 1870.

In addition, the reliquary frame contains the following items:

  1. A cloth ribbon -  3rd class touch relic of the Column of Flagellation of Christ inscribed MISURA DELLA COLONNA DI CRISTO NRO SIGNORE ALLA QUALE FU FLAGELLATO (A Measure Of The Pillar Of Christ Our Lord At Which He Was Flagellated);
  2. A mother-of-pearl pilgrim's cross from the Holy Land;
  3. A dried-up branch from an olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane with a handwritten label Olivier de Terre Sainte (Olive from the Holy Land);
  4. An engraving with a depiction of the relic of the Titlo from the Cross of Jesus housed in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem in Rome;
  5. An envelope with a pebble relic from the Sepulcher of Christ;
  6. Two envelopes with a pebble relic from the Column of Flagellation of Christ;
  7. An envelope with a pebble relic from the Grotto of Gethsemane.

The reliquary is suitable for private and public veneration. 

  • ID# 47-RSSR-15
  • Size Frame: 17 3/4 x 14 1/4 inches (45 x 36 cm)
  • Age ca. 1870
  • Origin Rome, Frame - Bordeaux, France
  • Materials wood, paper, glass, Spanish wax, silk, cloth
  • Price Price upon request
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 47-RSSR-15
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French reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

French reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

A large cruciform reliquary monstrance of lacquered wood decorated with a silver bronze figure of crucified Christ. A removable silver theca housing particles from the wood from the True Cross of Jesus Christ is placed in the round cavity at the base of the monstrance. The substantial relics are displayed in a cruciform shape surrounded by gilt paper ornamentation and are identified in French on a manuscript cedula label as Bois de la Vraie Croix (Wood from the True Cross). On its back, the theca is secured by an undisturbed seal of red Spanish wax with an imprint of a coat of arms of an unidentified Roman Catholic Archbishop.

  • ID# 58-RSSR-23
  • Size The reliquary is 27 1/2 inches (70 cm) tall, Relics measure 25 x 15 mm
  • Age ca. late 19th century
  • Origin France
  • Materials wood, bronze, silver, glass, paper, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 58-RSSR-23
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1851 Spectacular French silver reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

1851 Spectacular French silver reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

19th-century French large cruciform  reliquary monstrance made of  wood decorated with solid silver caps and center detail and housing a theca with particles from the wood from the True Cross of Jesus Christ. The substantial relics are displayed in a  crystal-fronted silver theca placed in the center of the reliquary. On its back, the theca is secured by an undisturbed seal of red Spanish wax with an imprint of a coat of arms of an unidentified Roman Catholic Cardinal. The base of the monstrance has a hallmarked solid-silver plaque with the following inscription in French:

"The oak from which this cross is made is contemporary with the birth of Christianity, it was found near Sombernon, a few years ago in a Roman aqueduct whose construction dates back to the conquest of Gaul, it owes its black color to its long stay underground. [dated] 1851."

  • ID# 43-RSSR-225
  • Size 24 1/2 inches (62 cm) tall
  • Age ca. 1851
  • Origin France
  • Materials wood, silver, crystal, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 43-RSSR-225
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1914 French silver reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

1914 French silver reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

Large French cruciform reliquary monstrance made of lacquered wood with a solid silver center cavity's framing housing a theca with particles from the wood from the True Cross of Jesus Christ. The relics are displayed inside of a double-crystal theca placed in the center of the reliquary and identified in Latin on a manuscript cedula label as Verae Crvsis (The True Cross). On its back, the cross is secured by an undisturbed seal of red Spanish wax with an imprint of a coat of arms of an unidentified Roman Catholic Cardinal. On the back, the base of the monstrance has a hidden compartment that reveals the original matching authentics documents issued by Cardinal Basilio Pompili (†1931), the Vicar General of Rome (1913–1931).

  • ID# 2-RSGA-15
  • Size 21 inches (54 cm) high
  • Age ca. 1914
  • Origin France / Vatican
  • Materials Wood, silver, glass, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 2-RSGA-15
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Reliquary monstrance with 2 relics of the Passion - the True Cross & the Holy Shroud of Jesus Christ (Shroud of Turin)

Reliquary monstrance with 2 relics of the Passion - the True Cross & the Holy Shroud of Jesus Christ (Shroud of Turin)

Elegant 19th century Baroque reliquary monstrance of parcel gilt and whitewashed wood housing two significant relics of ​Christ's Passion: of the wood from the True Cross and of the cloth from the Holy Shroud. The relics are displayed in a grass-fronted cavity located in the center the monstrance and identified on a fancy-cut paper cedula label as  De Ligno + DN  (of the wood [from the True Cross] of Our Lord) and De Sindone DN (of the Shroud of Our Lord). On the back, the cavity is secured by four seals of red wax with a perfectly preserved imprint of a coat of arms of Fr. Giovanni Francesco Capelletti (†1831), Bishop of Ascoli Piceno (1806-1831). Fit for a for public veneration.

  • ID# 147-RSCR-25
  • Size 12 1/2 in (32 cm) high
  • Age ca. first third of the 19th century
  • Origin Italy
  • Materials gilt wood
  • Price Price upon request
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 147-RSCR-25
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Spectacular French silver reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

Spectacular French silver reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

19th-century French cruciform  reliquary monstrance made of ebony wood decorated with hallmarked solid silver fleur-de-lis finials and housing a theca with particles from the wood from the True Cross of Jesus Christ. The relics are displayed in a  glass-fronted removable theca placed in the center of the reliquary and surrounded by a cruciform micromosaic depicting the Instruments of Passion (Arma Christi). The theca is secured by an undisturbed seal of red Spanish wax with an imprint of a coat of arms of the Order of Friars Minor.

  • ID# 44-RSSR-2
  • Size 17 1/2 inches (44 cm) high
  • Age ca. 19th century
  • Origin France
  • Materials ebony wood, silver, tessera, glass, Spanish wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 44-RSSR-2
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Fine reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

Fine reliquary monstrance with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

A small cruciform reliquary monstrance of gilt brass standing on three lion-claw feet decorated with twelve red-colored crystals and the image of the Crown of Thorns. A central glass-fronted round cavity is housing particles from the wood from the True Cross of Jesus Christ. The relics are displayed in a cruciform shape on the ground of red silk and are identified on a manuscript cedula label as S.S. Crucis D.N.J.C. (The Most Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ). On its back, under a protective cap, the theca is secured by an undisturbed seal of red Spanish wax with an imprint of a coat of arms of an unidentified Roman Catholic Archbishop.

  • ID# 66-RSSR-22
  • Size 15 inches (38 cm) tall
  • Age ca. 1900
  • Origin France or Belgium
  • Materials brass, glass, paper, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 66-RSSR-22
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Monstrance reliquary with relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

Monstrance reliquary with relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

Elaborate Baroque 18th-century monstrance of gilt wood with crossed Arma Christi surmounted by carved wooden canopy containing oval silver glass-fronted theca housing relic of the Passion of Jesus Christ: particles of the Wood from the True Cross. The relics are mounted in cruciform shape on a background of red silk and surrounded by gold burst and twisted silver wire decoration. They are identified on elaborately cut out paper cedula label as Ex Lingo SS-mae Crucis D.N.J.C. (From the wood of the Most Precious Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ). The theca is authenticated on the back with perfectly preserved red wax seal of Francesco Gaetano Incontri (†1781), the Archbishop of Florence (p. 1741-1781). 

  • ID# 122-LCD-12
  • Size Monstrance: 42 x 17 cm
  • Age ca. third quarter of the 18th century, Italy
  • Materials gilt wood monstrance and silver theca
  • Price Price upon request
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 122-LCD-12
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Reliquary Monstrance with relic from the Titulus Crucis (INRI) of the True Cross of Jesus

Reliquary Monstrance with relic from the Titulus Crucis (INRI) of the True Cross of Jesus

Small Baroque reliquary monstrance made of wood with silvered front housing inside of a glass-fronted compartment a significant ex Titulus Crucis (from the Inscription board on the True Cross) relic of Christ's Passion.  The precious relic is affixed to a background of red silk decorated with gilt paperolle and identified on a fancy-cut manuscript cedula as Tabula Titul[i] Crucis DNJC (From the Titulus tablet of the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ). On the back, the relic is secured with a crisscrossed silk cord held in place by four perfectly preserved seals of red Spanish wax each with an imprint of a coat of arms of Fr. Antonio Martini (†1809), Archbishop of Florence (1781-1809).  

  • ID# 41-RSCRM-7
  • Size Reliquary is 7 1/2 in (19 cm) high
  • Age ca. 1800
  • Origin Florence, Italy
  • Price Price upon request
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 41-RSCRM-7
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1919 documented reliquary with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

1919 documented reliquary with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

An oval crystal-fronted silver pendant reliquary theca housing precious relics of the Wood from the True Cross of Jesus Christ. The sizable relics are displayed in a cruciform shape on the ground of red silk surrounded by gilt paperolle and silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a typeset cedula label as De Ligno Crucis D.N.J.C. (Of the Wood from the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ).  On the back, under a protective cap, the reliquary is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of Monsignor St. Guido Maria Conforti (†1931), Bishop of Parma (1907-1931), who himself was canonized as a Saint in 2011 by Pope John Paul II on account of his life of heroic virtue. The relic is accompanied by the original matching authentics document issued by Monsignor Conforti in 1919.

  • ID# 282-RSCR-7
  • Size 33 x 28 mm
  • Age ca. 1919
  • Origin Parma, Italy
  • Materials Silver, crystal, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price SOLD!
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 282-RSCR-7
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1858 documented reliquary with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

1858 documented reliquary with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

An attractive round glass-fronted hallmarked silver pendant reliquary theca decorated around the perimeter with the Crown of Thorns, housing precious relics of the Wood from the True Cross of Jesus Christ. The relics are displayed in a cruciform shape on the ground of red silk surrounded by gilt paperolle and silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a typeset cedula label as Vera Crucis ([of the] True Cross [of Our Lord Jesus Christ]).  On the back, under a protective cap, the reliquary is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of Fr. Giuseppe Maria Pietro Raffaele Castellani O.E.S.A. (†1854), Titular Bishop of Porphyreon (1839-1854), Papal Sacristan and Assistant to the Pontifical Throne of Pope Gregory XVI. The relic is accompanied by the original matching authentics document issued by Bishop Castellani in 1858. In the bottom right corner, the document bears an additional certification by Cardinal Henri-Marie-Gaston Boisnormand de Bonnechose, Archbishop of Rouen, France, dated 1876.

  • ID# 64-RSSR-14
  • Size 38 mm across
  • Age ca. 1858
  • Origin Vatican
  • Materials silver, glass, paper, silk, silver, Spanish wax
  • Price SOLD!
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 64-RSSR-14
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Fine reliquary with relic of the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ

Fine reliquary with relic of the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ

An attractive round glass-fronted ivory frame reliquary theca housing precious relic of the Thorn from the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ. The relic is displayed on the ground of red silk inside of a smaller inner silver theca surrounded by an intricately made silver image the Crown of Thorns and seven set semi-precious amethists with looped silver wire. The relic is identified in Latin on a manuscript cedula label as Ste Spine de la Coronae D.N.J.C. (Holy Thorn from the Crown of Thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ). On the back, the reliquary is secured by a red silk ribbon held in place by three seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of an unidentified Roman Catholic Bishop (most likely French). 

  • ID# 65-RSSR-18
  • Size 80 mm in diameter
  • Age ca. 19th century
  • Origin France
  • Materials ivory, silver, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price SOLD!
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 65-RSSR-18
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1919 documented reliquary with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

1919 documented reliquary with relics of the True Cross of Jesus Christ

An oval glass-fronted silvered brass pendant reliquary theca housing precious relics of the Wood from the True Cross of Jesus Christ. The relics are displayed in a cruciform shape on the ground of multicolor silk surrounded by gilt paperolle ornamentation and identified in Latin on a manuscript cedula label as De Ligno SS. C. D.N.J.C. (Of the Wood from the Most Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ).  On the back, under a protective cap, the reliquary is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of Monsignor St. Guido Maria Conforti (†1931), Bishop of Parma (1907-1931), who himself was canonized as a Saint in 2011 by Pope John Paul II on account of his life of heroic virtue. The relic is accompanied by the original matching authentics document issued by Monsignor Conforti in 1919.

  • ID# 316-RSCR-11
  • Size 34 x 30 mm
  • Age ca. 1919
  • Origin Parma, Italy
  • Materials Silver, crystal, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price SOLD!
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 316-RSCR-11
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1818 Documented reliquary with relics of Christ's Passion (Arma Christi)

1818 Documented reliquary with relics of Christ's Passion (Arma Christi)

Oval glass-fronted  silvered brass pendant reliquary theca housing five relics of the Instruments of Passion of Jesus Christ. Relics are affixed to the red silk ground surrounded by silver wire and gilt paperolle ornamentation and identified in Latin on manuscript cedulae labels as Ex Col. Flagell. / Ex Fune / Ex Spongia / Ex Sepulcro / Ex Arundine / D.N.J.C. (Of the Column of Flaggellation / of the Holy Rope / of the Holy Sponge / of the Holy Tomb / of the Holy Cane / of Our Lord Jesus Christ). On the back, under a protective cap, the theca is secured with a perfectly preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Monsignor Giulio Maria della Somaglia (†1830), Cardinal-Priest of Santa Sabina (mother church of the Dominican order), Papal Vicar General (1795-1818), and Prefect of the Congregation of Sacred Rites. The theca is accompanied by an original matching authentics documents issued and signed by Monsignor Giulio Maria della Somaglia in 1818. 

  • ID# 241-RSCR-9
  • Size 47 x 44 mm
  • Age ca. 1818
  • Origin Vatican
  • Materials brass, glass, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 241-RSCR-9
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Attractive 19th Century Reliquary with relics of the Christ's Passion, Sepulture of Mary and Selected Saints

Attractive 19th Century Reliquary with relics of the Christ's Passion, Sepulture of Mary and Selected Saints

Attractive multiple relic reliquary, centered on the Holy Sepulchre and the Manger of Our Lord. Mounted against a red silk background, ornamented with gold and silver devices, and housed in a sealed, cast bronze reliquary theca further decorated with an inner ring of silver braid.

  • ID# 64-DDR-6
  • Age ca. 19th century
  • Price $2,750
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 64-DDR-6
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1757 documented touch relic of the Holy Lance of Jesus Christ - the Spear of Destiny

1757 documented touch relic of the Holy Lance of Jesus Christ - the Spear of Destiny

Incredibly rare touch relic made from the silver object that touched the most powerful and mysterious Passion relic - The Holy Spear of Jesus also known as the True Lance. The reliquary is affixed to the original  authentics document dated 1757 and issued and hand-signed by Fr. Nicola Manciforte (†1762), Bishop of Ancona. 

The document written in Latin translates as:

"...that this silver tip of a Lance, tied to this [letter] with a ribbon of red color, and secured with a small Seal of ours impressed in Spanish Wax, touched the Very Sacred Point of the Lance with which the Side of the Savior was pierced while he was hanging on the Cross; that it exists amongst the rest of the quite famous Relics, by the possession of which our Church was distinguished as the Cathedral of St. Cyriacus; and that it rouses and fosters the piety of the Faithful wondrously well, and draws them to itself...."

The Holy Spear is also known as the Holy Lance is the name of the very spear that had pierced Christ’s side when he hanged on the cross. The first person to refer to this as the Holy Spear was pilgrim Antoninus of Piacenza in 570 AD. While describing the holy places of Jerusalem, he said that in the Basilica of Mount Zion, there was the crown of thorns which Our Lord was crowned and the spear which was used to strike Him in the side. It was rediscovered by the European army of the First Crusade in the city of Antioch on June 15th, 1098, but eventually ended up in the treasury of Constantinople. It is documented that the holy relic of the True Lance passed through Ancona (an Italian city on the Adriatic side of the Peninsula), in 1492 on its way from Bayezid II the Turkish Sultan (whose father obtained it in 1451 during the conquest of Constantinople) to Pope Innocent VIII by the hand of Pierre d'Abusson, Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. The Pope placed it in the Treasury of the old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome with the volto santo, where it is held in great veneration. It is now in one of the great piers of the present St. Peter's Cathedral and in front of it, over the image of Longinus is inscribed "The Spear of Longinus, which Innocent VIII, the Chief Pointif received from Bayezid Sultan of the Turks; Urban VIII transferred it to a decorated shrine rasing an image and erecting the shrine beneath." (see for more information: Relics from the Crucifixion: Where They Went and How They Got There. By J. Charles Wall.)

Since there are no records of the Cathedral of Ancona retaining a part of the True Lance when it was passing through the town on its way to Rome, it is believed that the offered relic was obtained by melting a larger silver object that touched the tip of the True Lance in 1492. A number of analogous documented reliquaries are known, but their number is extremely small and they are in very high demand because of the impossibility of making new touch relics from the True Lance held in the Vatican after it was transferred to the pier of St. Peter's basilica in the 17th century.

  • ID# 186-RSCR-8
  • Size 25 x 8 mm
  • Age ca. 1757
  • Origin Ancona, Italy
  • Materials silver, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price Price upon request
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 186-RSCR-8
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Facsimile relic of the Holy Nail of Jesus Christ

Facsimile relic of the Holy Nail of Jesus Christ

A 19th-century facsimile third-class touch relic of the Holy Nail of Jesus Christ. The relic is certified by a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of the Monastery of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem in Rome. 

  • ID# 46-RSCR124-25
  • Size 5 inches (12.5 cm) long
  • Age ca. ca. 1880s
  • Origin Rome, Italy
  • Materials metal, paper, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price $2,750
  • Orthodox Cross
ID# 46-RSCR124-25
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1089 Commonwealth Ave #314,

Boston, MA 02215, USA

Tel: (+1) 786-206-9894

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