Remarkable Hunting Reliquary - 15th Century

Our reliquary in carved, polychrome and gilded wood, in the classic shape of a house, rests on four majestic lions in carved and gilded wood. This chase is enriched with pinnacles at the four corners, as well as on the ridge. The twelve apostles are sculpted in high relief on all four faces with two apostles on each gable and four on the sides, presented in six registers decorated with trefoiled arcatures, on a gold background enriched with a motif of blue and red diamonds. Each apostle is recognizable by his attribute and retains a large part of his polychromy. At the four corners, we find the four evangelists surmounted by a canopy.
The roof is divided into six registers decorated with fleurs-de-lis sculpted in high relief and inscribed in false square tiles. One of these registers conceals an opening hatch articulated by two exterior iron hinges. This is a work from the north of France dating from the end of the Middle Ages which, due to its fine workmanship and its dimensions, undoubtedly contained precious and notable relics. The height is 83 cm, the width is 91 and the depth is 50.5 cm. Very good condition considering the age of this piece.

Note some logical gaps in the small pinnacles of the ridge, chips to the gilding and general wear to the polychromy. Missing key.

This object was appraised by Madame Laurence FLIGNY, Haute Epoque expert.