Reliquary - Brass - 1850-1900 - Holy Cross & Crown of Thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ + 7 Saints of the Passion

A reliquary is a container designed to house and display relics—physical remains or personal effects of saints or religious figures—serving as objects of veneration in Christian traditions. This brass reliquary dating from the mid-19th century to 1900 features symbolic elements including the Holy Cross and the Crown of Thorns associated with Jesus Christ's Passion. Additionally, it honors seven saints connected to the Passion, the final period of Christ's suffering. Brass was commonly used for its workability and aesthetic appeal in religious artifacts. Reliquaries played and continue to play a central role in devotional practices, often richly decorated to indicate the sacredness of their contents and inspire the faithful.