Italian Reliquary Mirror. Religious Sacred Flaming Heart Mirror. C1800

This fabulous antique Italian mirrored reliquary which is in the Baroque style has a gold, red and black gilt painted foliate frame with a beautifully foxed central mirror plate and dates from c1800. This ornately carved reliquary stand is elaborately carved with foliage surrounding the mirror and is topped with a gold crown surrounding a sacred flaming heart with thorns. The use of reliquaries was an important part of Christian practice from at least the 4th Century. They could be for both private and public use. The use and manufacture of reliquaries continues to this day, especially in Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian countries. Today this mirror stand will look fantastic on display in any room and will make a stylish statement piece. Date: c1800. Dimensions: Width: 28 cm (11"). Depth: 9.5 cm (3 3/4"). Height: 52 cm (10 1/2"). Weight: 1022 g. Condition: Very good decorative antique condition with signs of use in keeping with age. Some old repairs, missing pieces and cracks which all add to it's charm. Please see pictures. Please note that only the mirror stand is included and any other items in the pictures are for display only.