Beautiful antique French canivet relic circa early 1800s. A "canivet" relic is an art form associated with holy pictures, and it was probably born in France in the 13th century or thereabouts. With this craft, the holy pictures are realized as a mixed-media piece. It often includes silk fabrics, gold wire, ribbons, paper flowers, and needlework using chromos, textiles, and a plethora of other materials. The French and Italians are famous for this type of art. Some are flat "cards," while others are housed in ornate "reliquaries".
Works of art such as this were left almost exclusively to the hands of monks and nuns in medieval monasteries and convents. They used to craft them as expressions of Christian faith and spiritual exercises, going beyond prayer. Today, it is commonplace, and we might call it a flat mixed-media piece.
This particular piece is framed in brass, and the original glass is gone. The back is intact with a make-do wire hanger at the top. The work includes paper, fabric, threads, embossed gold trims, beadwork, wirework, silk ribbons, and so much more. This piece is beyond stunning and measures 6" x 4.25". As time passes, these will only get harder and harder to find.
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