The Reliquary Hand
The Reliquary Hand
The Reliquary Hand.
Reliquaries are essentially containers for holy relics and I discovered a series of ornate reliquaries of arms and hands, which in fact house the bones and remains of sacred peoples’ arms and hands.
My miniature version is empty – don’t worry! It’s an amuletic sculpture to be worn from a chain. My hand was inspired by the ornate reliquary hands made medieval craftspeople. It's jewellery wearing jewellery and that’s a bit boujie.
Some of my favourite reliquaries are the reliquaries of St Teresa & St Blaise. Check them out!
Details:
A sculptural hand pendant.
Carved from wax and then cast into metal.
Available in raw golden brass or recycled 925 sterling silver.
About 2.5cm.
A bale (loop) of 7mm to thread a chain through the amulet.
About:
This elaborate tradition is rooted in the early Christian church, and by the medieval period reliquary objects had reached an astonishing standard as ornate art objects.
The people inside are usually saints, and church figures who were believed to be divinely powerful in life and in death. Reliquaries were carefully crafted and expensive. Some arm and hand reliquaries were adorned in pieces of contemporary jewellery - like medieval rings & fantastic arm cuffs!
Care:
Brass and Silver oxidises and darkens over time. Go with it and embrace the change, or keep your metal bright and shiny with the polishing goodies in your parcel.
Delivery:
Please allow up to 2 weeks for these hands to be wrapped and then sent out to you!
