Beautiful antique Canivet relic I purchased in St. Ouen l'Aumone, France, circa early 1800s. This is a canivet card relic. A "canivet" card is an art form associated with small holy pictures, and it probably originated in France in the 13th century or thereabouts. With this craft, the holy pictures are realized in a sort of needlework using a chromo, textiles and a plethora of other materials. The French and Italians are famous for this type of art.
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 prayers. Today, it is commonplace, and we might call this a flat mixed media piece.
This piece was most likely framed, but the frame is no longer present. It uses a religious card, gold leaf embossed paper, cut paper jewels, and silk. This piece is adorned with gold-leaf flowers and leaves, along with other gold accents. are gold embossed paper.
This piece is beyond stunning and measures 3.5" x 2.75". As time passes, these will become increasingly difficult to find.
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