Reliquary Cross, Baroque Period, Sterling Silver ,flanders 1730-40, Vanderghinste Kortrijk

Sumptuous Reliquary Cross in sterling silver and vermeil, intended for the veneration of The Cross during the Catholic liturgy of Holy Week .
It is of a flamboyant baroque so typical for the Flemish church furniture of the counter-reform. All the silverware of this cross is in an exceptional state of conservation. The Christ, the cherubs, the clouds and the rays in vermeil are executed with great refinement and the subtle play of matt and shine is stil visible. At the foot of Christ is a cartouche surrounded by clouds containing a relic whose contents have peeled off but are still present. A small paper cross and two tiny splinters suggest that it is probably a relic of the True Cross. On the back this cartridge is sealed with red wax with episcopal arms. Behind the angels at the foot of the Cross are struck four hallmarks of the city of Kortrijk and the master silversmith JF Vanderghinste, yearl letter C. To date between 1730-1740. The whole weighs grams.