**First Time At Auction**

Western Europe, Spain, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An oval brass reliquary housing a first class relic of Saint Francis Borgia (San Francisco de Borja) possibly "ex pelle" (meaning "of the skin") - preserved under glass. The back cap is removable, and the relic is secured atop a piece of velvet with red threads that cross over the verso and a wax seal is placed in the center to assure authenticity and prevent tampering. If the seal or threads are broken, the validity of the relic would be called into question - the seal and threads on this example are intact! St. Francis Borgia died in Rome in 1572 CE but his body was repatriated to Spain in 1617, and then canonised in 1670. Size: 1.7" W x 2.25" H (4.3 cm x 5.7 cm)

Provenance: ex-Davis collection, Houston, Texas, acquired before 2013 from various auction houses in London and New York

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#140031

Small scratches on glass surface. Dark patina on the metal surfaces. Relic is visible and label on interior reading "S. Franc. Borja" is clear. Wax seal and thread are intact!