Victorian Estate Tambourine Reliquary Gold Tone Gilt Filigree Window Necklace

Description: 20 inch chain, with pendant 22 inchesPendant Window is clear and unscratchedFiligree beads are in very good shape Antique reliquary tambourine necklaces are a fascinating and rare form of devotional jewelry that blends religious significance with intricate design. These necklaces, which often feature a pendant shaped like a tambourine, serve as reliquaries—containers meant to hold sacred relics such as fragments of saints’ bones, pieces of cloth, or other religious items.Key Elements of Antique Reliquary Tambourine Necklaces: Reliquary Purpose:A reliquary is a sacred container designed to hold and protect relics. In Christianity, particularly within the Catholic tradition, relics are physical remains or personal effects of saints or other holy figures, believed to have spiritual significance.Reliquaries were often kept in churches or worn as devotional jewelry by the faithful, serving as a personal link to the divine or as a form of protection and guidance. Tambourine Shape:The pendant of these necklaces is shaped like a tambourine, a small, round percussion instrument. The use of a tambourine shape in reliquary necklaces is unique, possibly symbolizing joyful praise and celebration in faith, as tambourines were often associated with religious music and dancing, particularly in biblical times.The tambourine shape is also highly decorative, allowing for various artistic interpretations in design, with intricate metalwork and sometimes the addition of gemstones or other embellishments. Design and Craftsmanship:Materials: Antique reliquary tambourine necklaces were typically crafted from precious metals like gold or silver, though they could also be made from brass or other less expensive materials. The use of high-quality materials reflected both the sacred purpose of the necklace and its status as a valuable object.Details: The tambourine pendants were often decorated with engraving, filigree, or repoussé metalwork, sometimes adorned with religious symbols like crosses, saints, or floral motifs, which were common in devotional jewelry.Glass Windows: Some reliquary tambourine pendants featured a glass window or a hinged compartment, allowing the wearer to view the relic contained within. This design made the relic visible while keeping it protected.Gemstone Accents: Some necklaces included small gemstones like garnets, amethysts, or seed pearls to enhance the beauty of the piece and signify the spiritual value of the relic. Religious and Cultural Significance:These necklaces were both devotional and protective objects, worn by individuals as a way of keeping their faith close and seeking protection or blessings from the relics they carried.The tambourine shape could symbolize praise and celebration of the divine, and the presence of relics meant the necklace was thought to provide a direct connection to the saint or religious figure whose relic was housed within. Historical Context:Reliquaries have been an important part of Christian tradition since the early centuries of the Church. By the Medieval period, relics became central to Christian devotion, and reliquary jewelry allowed individuals to carry a small piece of that devotion with them.Tambourine-shaped reliquaries may have emerged during the Baroque or Rococo periods (17th-18th centuries), as ornate, decorative religious jewelry became popular, or in other periods when jewelry and religion were closely intertwined. The style is more common in Southern Europe (Italy, Spain, or France), where Catholicism was deeply rooted in culture and artistic expression.The combination of reliquary and tambourine was not a widespread design, making these pieces relatively rare and highly valued among collectors of antique religious jewelry. Modern Collectibility:Today, antique reliquary tambourine necklaces are sought after by collectors of both religious artifacts and antique jewelry. They are prized for their craftsmanship, historical significance, and the unique blend of devotional function and artistic design.Condition and authenticity are key factors in the value of these necklaces. The presence of the original relic can significantly enhance the value, though some pieces may no longer contain the relic they were meant to house.Conclusion: Antique reliquary tambourine necklaces are rare and exquisite pieces of religious jewelry that combine spiritual devotion with artistic craftsmanship. Their unique design, combining the joyful symbolism of the tambourine with the sacred purpose of holding a relic, makes them highly collectible and treasured items from a historical perspective. These necklaces serve as a tangible link to faith and a reflection of the intricate relationship between religion and art in antique jewelry.

Price: 369.99 USD

Location: Palos Heights, Illinois

End Time: 2024-12-12T18:37:17.000Z

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