Reliquary of Saint Francis Xavier

Spain, Second half of the 17th century (Baroque)
Dimensions: H: 24.4 cm, W: 370 g

The gilded silver reliquary was made in the second half of the 17th century, in the deeply religious Catholic Spain. It was dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), the co-founder of the Jesuit Order, who spread Christianity in Southeast Asia, particularly in India and Japan. The reliquary is 24.4 cm high and weighs 370 grams, made of gilded silver, richly coloured and intricately detailed that reflects the Baroque style prevalent during this period. The moulded base is circular, concave, decorated with chased and carved leaves and volute-like motifs. In the compartment of the reliquary, under polished glass, on one side is a half-length profile of the Saint while on the other, between four angels, a Latin inscription “Xave – rius S.Fran – ciscus”, in the middle, it’s the place of the relic. At the top of the reliquary there is a distinctive Latin cross ending in globular forms.