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Arm-Reliquary of Saint Nympha Virgen and Martyr, and Arm-Reliquary of The Innocent Saints

Museu de São Roque

Museu de São Roque
Lisboa, Portugal

Set of two reliquaries of identical format, each one constituting a small cylindrical arm in silver with a round moulded base. This has the shape of a convex body with engraved decoration based on flowers volutes and leaves. Over this, another cylindrical concave body, on which the inscription of the name of the Martyr Saint it refers to. Above this there is a smooth rim raised above the main body of the reliquary, equally in silver leaf with decoration identical to the base, but on a larger scale, with large flowers interweaving with leaves. At the centre there is a rectangular display in glass, with a frame based on pearls, in a rosary shape. At the top there is a harmoniously shaped hand in polychrome wood; it is joined with the arm via a rosetta shaped silver nail.
Saint Nympha, whose biographical details are imprecise, would have been born in Sicily. Her name is an alteration of the toponymy Ad Nymphas.
Legend converted her into a great martyr who, after her Martyrdom in Palermo, was moved to Rome, and was buried in the same crypt as martyrs Tryphon and Respicius. She is the patron saint of the city of Palermo.

Details

  • Title: Arm-Reliquary of Saint Nympha Virgen and Martyr, and Arm-Reliquary of The Innocent Saints
  • Medium: Silver and wood
  • Production: Portugal

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