Important French reliquary with a massive bone relic of St. Apollinaris, Bishop of Valence

A large round convex glass fronted wood reliquary housing historically important ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Apollinaris, Bishop of Valence. A massive bone relic is placed on the background of red velvet in a quatrefoil cavity trimmed with a gilt silver wire cord and identified in Latin on a typeset cedula label as Ex Oss. Sti. Apollinari Ep. (from the bone of St. Apollinaris, Bishop). The relic is held in place with a red silk ribbon with a perfectly preserved seal of red Spanish wax with an imprint of a coat of arms of a Fr. Jean-Émile Fonteneau (†1899), Archbishop of Albi, France (1884-1899). The back of the reliquary is secured with a red silk ribbon with three perfectly preserved seals of red Spanish wax also with imprints of a coat of arms of Archbishop Fonteneau. The glass has a crack going horizontally from side to side and minor damage to the outer wooden frame as pictured.

Saint Apollinaris of Valence (†520), also known as Apollinaire, was a prominent Gallo-Roman bishop and one of the most illustrious pastors of his era. Born in Vienne to a noble Christian family, he was the son of St. Hesychius and brother of St. Avitus of Vienne. Ordained a priest while still young, he was consecrated bishop of the long-vacant see of Valence around 486 by his brother. At the time, the region suffered from barbarian invasions and the scandals of a previous dissolute bishop. During his roughly 34-year episcopate, Apollinaris worked zealously to restore the diocese’s spiritual glory amid the upheavals of the Burgundian kingdom. He was known for his holiness, pastoral care, and miracles. Late in life he received a divine warning of his death, visited relatives and fellow clergy, and died peacefully around 520. He is venerated as a confessor bishop and patron of Valence; his feast is traditionally observed on October 5.