It's a lovely antique pocket shrine. The ‘shrine’ itself is a dull metal capsule about 1 inch high, which, when pulled apart, reveals a brighter figure. I believe that miniature shrines of this type were carried in their pockets by Roman Catholic soldiers, maybe to pray in front of while on active service, but also to provide a reassuringly constant presence when on the march. But whoever its original owner, I do not doubt that this tiny object was imbued with enormous symbolic significance.
Please note that this is not new. This is an antique, so wear is commensurate with age.
Please email me with questions.
