Reliquary theca with relic of Saint Simon, Apostle, patron of woodworkers

An oval crystal-fronted silver pendant reliquary theca housing a precious first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Simon, the Apostle​. The relic is displayed on the ground of gold silk and identified in Latin on an ornate manuscript cedula label as S. Simonis / Apostoli (Saint Simon, Apostle). On the back, the reliquary is secured by a perfectly preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Milan. 

Saint Simon the Apostle, also known as Simon the Zealot or the Cananaean, was one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles, distinguished by his zealous faith. Little is recorded of his life, but tradition says he preached in Egypt and Persia, often with St. Jude. He was martyred around 65, possibly sawn in half in Persia. He is the patron saint of tanners, sawyers, woodcutters, and leather workers. His feast day is commemorated on October 28 (shared with St. Jude).