Large Italian Reliquary - 17th Century

Our reliquary is made of carved wood, beautifully polychromed and gilded. Probably Italian work from the end of the 17th century.
Decorated with two symmetrical cherubs carrying the martyr's palm and a crown at the top, it accommodates two reliquary niches, one in the shape of a heart decorated with four red hearts and the other oval surrounded by a braided crown and enriched with twelve blue stars.
The image of the twelve stars, announcing the Virgin, is directly inspired by the Apocalypse of Saint John (12.1): "A great sign appeared in the sky: a woman, clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head."
Red hearts are often associated with Christ, symbol of his infinite love and his passion. Here, the arrangement of the four hearts could represent the four wounds of Christ, those of the hands and feet, the fifth being the wound of the side is often represented alone.
Some missing parts, notably the summit cross. Used condition
Dimensions 88 cm high by 60 wide.