Old Spanish Colonial Mother of Pearl Relicario - N.S. de Guadalupe

This is a beautiful old relicario from South America. The image of the Virgin of Guadalupe has been meticulously painted with oil on nacre, or mother of pearl, with beautiful detailing to her robes and pan de oro or gold highlights surrounding her. The mother of pearl showing through gives a beautiful luminescence to the image, and the natural curve to the nacre raises the image slightly against the glass in the middle (see the detail below). Nacre relicarios were commissioned by the wealthier class in South America, and old ones are rare. This wonderful relicario most probably dating from the early 20th c. is displayed in the original hand formed silver case with the image protected under a replaced glass. This is indeed a beautiful devotional treasure!

Measurements:  1 3/4" with suspension loop

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