Beautiful antique Canivet relic I purchased in St. Ouen l'Aumone, France, circa the 1800s. This is a vintage Catholic holy card (santino) featuring the Child Jesus holding a chalice and a Eucharistic host. Hidden behind Jesus is the French text "Seigneur Jésus, faites que je sois toujours digne d'être admis à votre sainte table." It translates to "Lord Jesus, make me always worthy to be admitted to your holy table."
This is a lovely canivet card relic. A "canivet" card is an art form associated with small holy pictures, probably originating in France in the 13th century or thereabouts. In this craft, the holy pictures are created in a form of needlework using chromo, textiles, and a variety of other materials. The French and Italians are famous for this type of art.
Works of art such as this were left almost exclusively in the hands of monks and nuns in medieval monasteries and convents. They crafted them as expressions of Christian faith and spiritual exercises, going beyond prayers. Today, it is commonplace, and we might call it a flat mixed-media piece.
This piece was most likely once framed, but the frame is no longer present. This piece measures 3.2" x 2.2". Over time, these will become increasingly difficult to find.
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