Description:
Important reliquary bust of a Virgin Martyr executed in the early 18th century: the model is likely depicting Queen Zenobia. Gilded and silvered sculpture, in which the latter was always used for exposed anatomical parts. Of the silvered part (the face), only the bole remains. The reliquary recesses were, one at the base, and one in the center of the chest. The reliquary could contain mortal remains or related objects (from the classical Latin "reliqua" meaning "remainder", "rest"). The base is oval (cm.52x28), four turned, flattened feet are missing, and the hinged lid (cm.18; h.20) is missing from the back. Dimensions: cm.52x28; h.60.
