Description

Book Synopsis
Relicarios - finely crafted, bi-faced lockets of gold or silver - are artifacts of the Spanish Colonial era. These exquisite jewels containing devotional imagery protected by glass may include paintings on vellum, nacre, alabaster, copper, or ivory; prints; or miniature sculptures of boxwood, ivory, alabaster, or tagua. Although tons of relics were imported from Europe, particularly by Jesuits, in general only high-status individuals wore relicarios containing relics. Relicarios attest to colonists' dedication to their favourite Virgins and saints as well as fealty to church and crown. As powerful amulets they protected wearers in a precarious world. Relicarios reflects forty years of the author's research, including correspondence and interviews with relicarieros, art historians, curators, collectors, silversmiths, anticuarios, and clergy as well as the author's collection of several hundred examples. Photos commissioned from leading art photographers in the Americas were mostly unpublished until this handsome volume.

Relicarios: The Forgotten Jewels of Latin America

    Product form

    £90.95

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £107.00 – you save £16.05 (15%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 11 Aug 2026.

    A Hardback by Martha J. Egan, Carol Eastes

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Relicarios: The Forgotten Jewels of Latin America by Martha J. Egan

      Publisher: Fresco Fine Art Publications
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 30/11/2020
      ISBN13: 9781934491744, 978-1934491744
      ISBN10: 1934491748
      Also in:
      History of art Precious metal, stones and jewellery

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Relicarios - finely crafted, bi-faced lockets of gold or silver - are artifacts of the Spanish Colonial era. These exquisite jewels containing devotional imagery protected by glass may include paintings on vellum, nacre, alabaster, copper, or ivory; prints; or miniature sculptures of boxwood, ivory, alabaster, or tagua. Although tons of relics were imported from Europe, particularly by Jesuits, in general only high-status individuals wore relicarios containing relics. Relicarios attest to colonists' dedication to their favourite Virgins and saints as well as fealty to church and crown. As powerful amulets they protected wearers in a precarious world. Relicarios reflects forty years of the author's research, including correspondence and interviews with relicarieros, art historians, curators, collectors, silversmiths, anticuarios, and clergy as well as the author's collection of several hundred examples. Photos commissioned from leading art photographers in the Americas were mostly unpublished until this handsome volume.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account