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!

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.

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.