PAIR OF RELIQUARY CHESTS Comprising antique components, decorated with silver plates featuring acanthus leaf motifs, cherub faces and shells on a blackened wooden frame, the openings subsequently filled with an imitation tortoiseshell plate, the fronts framed by twisted columns, the whole surmounted by a balustrade The silver plates are hallmarked with fleurs-de-lis, secured by flat-headed nails engraved with a flower; one of the reliquaries is engraved at the top with ‘IHS’ (for Jesus Hominum Salvator – Jesus, Saviour of Mankind) and ‘MA’ (for Mater Amabilis – Loving Mother – or Ave Maria) on the other Height: 39 cm Width: 42.3 cm Depth: 21.6 cm Scratches, small chips and minor losses to the wood Varnished silver parts, knocks As is Provenance: French private collection, then passed down through the family.