Ancient silver relic of Saint Philip Benizzi

A rare silver reliquary with a bevelled glass front, containing a relic of Saint Philip Benizi. The relic is a piece of fabric, carefully secured at the center of an exquisite decoration. It rests on a fabric backing, is mounted on a small rhombus-shaped piece of paper or parchment, and a finely crafted silver border frames the entire piece. Below, a parchment label bears the inscription “S. Ierubus santi philippi Benitii,” confirming the identity of the saint whose relic is preserved. Original sealing wax The relics of Saint Philip Benizi (1233–1285), a Florentine priest and prior general of the Servants of Mary, are linked to a strong tradition of devotion in Florence and Todi, immortalized by Andrea del Sarto in the Cloister of the Vows at the Santissima Annunziata. The outer frame features relief motifs, evidence of delicate craftsmanship. Dimensions: 3.5 x 2.5 cm