Western Europe, France, ca. 19th to 20th century CE. A delightful paperolle reliquary - a monastery work in which bits of old books, paper, gilding, glass beads, and gold wire are used to create a rich and extravagant paperolle design. Dozens of gold-hued paperolles fill the field surrounding a wooden cross in a type of starburst mandorla. A banner inscribed "B: Elicta" (or Electa) - possibly meaning "the blessed elect" - spans across the bottom of the cross above a small piece of fabric - perhaps the clothing of a saint - and a green paper cut-out of a palm leaf, symbolizing Christ's victory over death. A pair of molded wax leaves additionally flank the cross, while coiled gold wire and petite white glass beads resembling pearls surround the mandorla and embellish areas of the cross itself. Rows of gold palmettes line the periphery, pointing inward from the gold-painted wood frame. Size of reliquary: 5.7" W x 6.8" H (14.5 cm x 17.3 cm); of acrylic display box: 7.7" W x 9" H (19.6 cm x 22.9 cm)

Provenance: private Rancho Mirage, California, USA collection, by inheritance in 2020; ex-Dr. TDR Berreth, California, USA, acquired before 1982

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#179086

Set in a modern acrylic display box with hook on verso for display. Losses to border on bottom periphery and some bending to paper throughout. Otherwise, mostly intact and excellent with impressive remaining detail.