LAYAWAY FOR PAMELA 10 PARTS - PART 5

Saint Veronica Reliquary Silver Theca, Gem Studded Ormolou Monstrance, Extremely Rare, Circa 1810

The description is slightly misleading as, although we now know Veronica Giuliani as a saint, she was only canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI having been beatified by Pope Pious VII in 1804. In this beautiful theca Veronica is described as B for Blessed so this important reliquary and monstrance were created before 1839, probable shortly after she was canonized.

The silver theca itself has a fully intact Spanish wax seal of a Cardinal Bishop of Rome and is set into another gilt bronze sleeve which fits into the purpose made gilt bronze monstrance. The monstrance stands fully 20 centimetres tall and is 11 centimetres at its widest point and it is studded with 9 gemstones in green and red. A similar ostensoir was recently sold on 1st Dibs for just over $1300 and that did not include a relic.

The theca measure 2.5 x 2.3 centimetres. Relics and reliquaries of Saint Veronica are extremely rare although The Russian Store in Florida, world renowned specialists for relics, has one on offer for $2250.

Inscription inside this beautiful relic is Ex Velo - Ex Capillis. Ex velo means it has a tiny part of The Veil of Veronica and that could only have been produced by The Vatican.

Saint Veronica was a widow from Jerusalem who lived in the 1st century AD.

Veronica was moved with sympathy seeing Jesus carrying the cross to Calvary and gave him her veil so that he could wipe his forehead. Jesus accepted the offer, and when he returned the veil the image of his face was miraculously captured on it. The resulting relic became known as the Veil of Veronica which is now kept in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.

This important relic will ship worldwide by secure carrier free of charge. Please add your telephone number when ordereing as it will be required by the carrier.