Gilded Wooden Reliquary Of St. Ambrose

Rare and unusual gilded wooden reliquary, with a relic of St. Ambrose. Later crucified in black ink (Latin cross on a mountain with three peaks?)
Very small chippings
Italy, 18th century
In prayer, next to the people
He distributed all his goods to the poor and devoted himself to the study of the Sacred Texts and the Fathers of the Church: “When I read the Scriptures,” he said, “God walks with me in Paradise.” He learned to preach and his oratory fascinated the young Augustine of Hippo, marking his conversion. Ambrose's life became increasingly frugal and austere, spent entirely in study, prayer, assiduous listening and closeness to the poor and the people of God. "If the Church has gold, it is not to keep it, but to give it to those in need," he said when he decided to melt down the liturgical furnishings to pay the ransom of some faithful kidnapped by Nordic soldiers.