Double Sided Relicario

This extremely fine and rare 19th century hand painted colonial reliquary represents Our Lady of Copacabana on one face and Our Lady of Socabon on the other. These beautiful miniature image(s) were hand painted on imported tin-plate by a skilled artisan who used nothing more than a single squirrel hair as a paint brush. Given the small scale, approximately 4.25 inches high, it's difficult to envisage the control, finesse and steady hand required to design, develop and execute with such incredible detail. On the obverse face, in the fine detail, Our Lady of Socovan embraces the Christ Child with a crescent moon underfoot. She clutches a rosary and candle with her other hand. On the opposite face, Our Lady of Copacabana is surrounded by colorful flags with a gaggle of Lake Tititcaca geese navigating the foreground reeds. 

Displayed behind the original leaded glass pane inside the original silver case. The case is inscribed along the lower edge of one side as follows: 'A Devocion de Manuel M. Cepedes'

Dimensions: 4.25 inches to top of bail. 

Condition is excellent with only minor paint loss. 

questions? Contact us at 415-505-0680 or info@colonialarts.com