Reliquary-casket

Turtle shell box in the shape of an urn with engraved silver outfits decorated with ferronerries and naturalist motifs. The use of silver is reduced to the minimum, limited to the hinges and lock, which gives it a modern look. The piece shows a perfect technique of soldering the various turtle shell plates thus forming an homogenous and polished surface.
These “turtle boxes” were used to guard jewels and valuables, or in churches to protect saint’s relics, such as in the present example. Sometimes they were even used to preserve the Sacred Host on the Good Friday celebration.