Relics traditionally refer to human remains of saints or holy figures in religions ranging from Christianity to Buddhism. More broadly, relics can also describe any sort of artifact with great religious meaning, such as collections of holy texts or prayers.

In religion, a relic is an object or article of religious significance from the past. [1] It usually consists of the physical remains or personal effects of a saint or other person preserved for the purpose of veneration as a tangible memorial.

Oct 1, 2001 · Reliquaries are the containers that store and display relics. Since the relics themselves were considered “more valuable than precious stones and more to be esteemed than gold,” it was considered only appropriate that they be enshrined in vessels, or reliquaries, crafted of or covered by gold, silver, ivory, gems, and enamel.

Jul 18, 2014 · In an essay just published in The Brooklyn Rail, NYU art historian Alexander Nagel argues that it's time to move beyond the relic-cult model of artworks that, he believes, has influenced...

Oct 16, 2021 · An interesting phenomenon in reliquary art are those shaped like parts of the human body. These gained popularity in the West in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and were known as “speaking reliquaries.”

Jun 4, 2021 · Relics could be body parts, full bodies, pieces of clothing, personal objects or even pieces of a landscape where a holy event took place. As long as a holy person interacted with the object, it could be a relic. The most valued relics are those associated with Jesus and his …

Even though the reliquary was designed to be used as a vessel to hold a relic, reliquaries continue to be valued in the 21st century as impressive and desirable works of art, exemplifying the style of the Middle Ages.

A relic is an object or a physical part of a saint or holy figure that is venerated in religious contexts. In the context of Romanesque architecture, relics played a crucial role in attracting pilgrims to churches and monasteries, as they were believed to possess miraculous powers and …

At Relic and Rarity, we specialize in rare artifacts, valuable antiques, and historical collectibles sourced from around the world. Whether you’re looking to buy ancient artifacts online, invest in authentic antiquities, or expand your fine art collection, we offer museum-quality relics with guaranteed authenticity.

Curator of South and Southeast Asian art John Guy on how relics help him understand the very beginnings of great traditions.