Bidspirit auction | Reliquary with Virgin. Hispano-American School.

Reliquary with Virgin. Hispano-American School. 17th Century - Gilt repoussé metal plaque and silver frame on velvet background. Measurements: frame 14 x 11.5 cm; plaque 7 x 5 cm. Wall-mounted reliquary with a mixtilinear shape, decorated with a relief of the Virgin in a contemplative pose, her face gently inclined. The central plaque, crafted in gilt brass and chiseled in low relief, stands out for the expressiveness of the face and the modeling of the drapery, all set within an ornate silver frame adorned with scrolls and baroque volutes. The deep burgundy velvet background enhances the decorative and devotional character of the piece. This type of reliquary was common in viceregal contexts, intended for domestic or conventual use. Its delicate and meticulous craftsmanship reflects the fusion between European religious art and American ornamental sensitivity, emphasizing the visual glorification of Marian symbolism. Despite its small format, the piece displays a high level of technique and a clear affective intent, characteristic of 17th-century devotional art.