Relic  Display Cases

Top: two examples of relic holders that allowed a priest to slip his hand through a metal sleeve (handle) on the bottom of the holder. This would allow the relic to be venerated publicly while still in the grip of the priest and afford him the opportunity to also bless an individual or crowd.

An example of two metal relic cases to be carried on the person. The silver one (larger) has a chain-mail bottom so it is expandable to different thicknesses. The gold case is heavily engraved and opens like a pocket watch.

Two leather cases are shown; one open to display relic as if put out on a table top, the second is closed to illustate its portability.

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Last edited November 4, 1997