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an old wooden box sitting on top of a white surfacean old wooden box sitting on top of a white surfacean image of a wooden box with a seal on itan old wooden box with a lid that has been turned into a chestan old wooden box with a decorative design on itan old wooden box with a handle is open on a white surface
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7 - Eucharistic chest and/or reliquary for the relics of “Blesse…

Estimate €5,000 - €6,000
Sale commission
Description
Eucharistic chest and/or reliquary for the relics of “Blessed Augustine (of Hippo),” made of carved, gilded, and sgraffito-decorated wood. Spain. 15th century. 29 x 42 x 32 cm. The entire surface is decorated with stippled and sgraffito motifs depicting flower-filled vases, scrolls, and vegetal elements. Viewed from the front, a “clock-like halo” encircles the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) at the centre. Beginning at the twelve o’clock position and reading around the circle, the following inscription can be deciphered in Gothic lettering: ECE ANUS DEI QI TOLIS PECATA MUNDI MISERER (ending at the same twelve o’clock position). It has a pitched, roof-shaped lid bearing the emblem of the Order of Saint Augustine, featuring a flaming heart and arrows that symbolise Divine Love and the conversion of the heart. The arrow symbolises the word of God, which pierces or transforms the heart, while the flame represents the ardour of charity. The emblem is enclosed within another circle, also conceived as a halo, like the one surrounding the Agnus Dei. Within it, the following inscription can be read in Gothic lettering: BEATE AGVSTINO * ORA PRO NBS. This suggests that the object may have been a reliquary casket that also served as a Eucharistic pyx. Some small caskets, chests, or boxes served this dual purpose and featured a double iconographic programme: the Agnus Dei at the centre of the front panel, appropriate to the Eucharist, and the emblem of an Augustinian religious order invoking Blessed Augustine, appropriate for an object intended to contain his relics, for which prayers and protection were sought.
About the sale ABBATIALIS. Res Sacra.
Auction location
Auction time 11/05/2026 at 7:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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