NS de Copacabana Relicario

This charming 19th century relicario, painted by hand by a skilled artisan equipped with little more than a wispy squirrel haired brush, represents Our Lady of Copacabana with a ring gold stars overhead and a silver crescent moon underfoot. The canvas on which this miniature was executed is hand cut nacre, a translucent layer of mollusk shell which reflects light and casts an iridescent shimmer. While nacre reliquaries are uncommon, large examples like the one offered here are very rare. A typical size would be 1 to 1.5 inches diameter. This example is roughly twice that size. The nacre is displayed inside the original silver case with the original convex glass crystal intact.  

Dimensions: reliquary measures 2.75 inches vertical x 2 inches horizontal. Overall height win stand is 5 inches. 

Condition: in overall good, original condition. 

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