SOLD Italian reliquary theca housing the first class relics of The Blessed Virgin Mary and Her Husband Saint Joseph. Very Rare.

Italian reliquary theca housing the first class relics of The Blessed Virgin Mary and Her Husband Saint Joseph.

I have rarely been so moved when holding an object in my hands. I stopped breathing to make sure I did not drop it. Over the years I have seen and handled many relics but this one is absolutely exceptional.

The Vatican seal on the reverse is perfectly intact as is the relic itself and the paper which backs it so it has never been tampered with. The original housing, though, must have been damaged in the distant past and the relic has been re-housed in a theca that was for Saint Germaine.

The theca is solid silver with a hand made glass face which is perfectly intact.

It houses a relic of Our Blessed Mother The Virgin Mary and of Saint Joseph. It is extremely rare to find a relic with both. The inscription inside is Sepulcr. B.M.V. S Josephi Sp. with two relics laid on two leaves of gold.

The theca itself is 3 x 2.5 x 0.8 centimetres. It arrived with me in a lovely box so that will stay with it.
Such a wonderful treasure.

This exquisite relic was made around 1840 and has survived so well due to the skill of the Vatican artisans who made it.

Another relic of The Virgin |Mary alone is currently on sale in The Russian Store in the USA for $1250 and on that basis this one should be selling for well over $1800 but I would prefer that a Christian of more modest means should be able to own and cherish this wonderful item so I have priced it accordingly.

It will ship by courier with full tracking, express delivery and insurance and this is reflected in the shipping costs.

More photos can be supplied on request