Nativity scene reliquary

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INV RL.048
Relicário do Presépio

PLACE/DATE
Portugal, 1615

MATERIALS
Gilt bronze and silver

DIMENSIONS
61 x 35 x 25 cm

INV
RL.048

INSCRIPTION
DOMINA NARIA A ROLIM DOMINI LVDOVICI AGAMA A CONIVX SACRO CHRISTI PRAESEPIO DICAVIT ANNO 1615

Using a retabular structure in the form of a portal flanked by composite columns and surmounted by a pediment interrupted at the centre by a figure of an angel with the coat of arms of the Gamas at its feet, the interior is enlivened by diamond-shaped motifs and a staging of the Nativity scene in great sculptural detail.

It is in the cradle with the Infant Jesus that some fragments of wood can be seen that are believed to have belonged to the manger of the Cave of Bethlehem.

This is an excellent example of the type of so-called architectural reliquaries, a generic term that covers a significant diversity of forms and models that appeared in the second half of the 16th century and during the course of the 17th century, in response to the increased devotion to relics encouraged by the session of 25 December 1563 of the Council of Trent (1545-1563), which reaffirmed the historical and canonical relevance of the cult of relics.