This 19th century copy of a reliquary head of St Stephan of Muret has a guide of €16,000 at the Hermann Historica auction in Munich from November 11-20. Image: Hermann Historica 2019.
One of the catalogues is devoted to an eclectic selection of works of art, grouped under the title Cabinet des curiosités.
Among these is this 19th century copy of a reliquary head of St Stephan of Muret. The 11in (28cm) high head, with a hinged cap, is executed in embossed copper and is silvered and partly gilt.
Stephan was a French monk who founded the monastic order of Grandmont. He died in 1124 and in 1189 he was canonised by Pope Clement III. The original reliquary, which dates to the 15th century, is preserved in the Church of Saint Sylvestre in the Limousin area of France.
The copy on sale has been consigned by a Dutch collector and has a guide of €16,000.
