RELIQUARY PENDANT WITH FLAGELLATION OF CHRIST. SILVER, ENAMEL. 16TH CENTURY.

Reliquary with “Flagellation of Christ”. Silver, enamel. Century XVI. Oval reliquary pendant decorated on the outside with a stripe and some relief elements on the edge (with curved profiles and simple engraved volutes), which has a chain of smooth oval links (all practically the same). On the front and back it shows two figurative scenes with striking polychrome. On the one hand, Christ is placed in the center of the composition tied to a high column, being whipped by two executioners or soldiers with branches, following a common composition in the 16th century. In the other, the focus is on a space in the pendant protected by glass (since it contains a relic, enhanced by a Latin cross), highlighted in the composition with rays of light and a luminous beam; This element appears supported by an angel and surrounded by winged heads (common in the Renaissance) floating among clouds, and has been accompanied by Saint Joseph with the Child and the Florida Rod, and Saint Anthony of Padua (also with the Child and a bouquet of flowers). This type of jewelry always had great value both for the materials in which they were made and for their religious content. Despite this (or perhaps because of this same appreciation) not many quality examples are preserved and in good condition, being possible to find them only in important private collections and in prominent museums such as the Fundación Valencia de Don Juan in Madrid, the Museo National Center for Decorative Arts in the same city, etc., or ancient religious centers such as the Convento de las Descalzas Reales in Madrid. Weight: 160g

· Size: 8x1x10 cms.