Pair of reliquaries, custodians; Italy, second half of the eighteenth century. Carved and gilded wood. Measurements: 74 x 332 x 15,5 cm. Pair of reliquaries with the same structure and ornamentation, made of carved and gilded wood. Each of the reliquaries that make up the lot are supported on a trapezoidal base, from which a foot that connects with the central body of oval format. The realization of this type of religious objects, designed to house the relics of the saints, was common from the Gothic period, highlighting both the crosses, such as the so-called "testas", which, in the contemporary documentation to its realization, were very popular. They were used to contain relics. In spite of the fact that many of them adopted very diverse forms, all of them had the same devotional purpose, which sometimes went beyond fanaticism. It should be remembered, however, that at that time, practically any element that had been in contact with the saint or his mortal remains (cloths, burial soil, etc.) was considered a sacred relic. This triggered a whole market for such objects. The best examples were made of precious metals, but specimens such as the present one were also highly valued, both for the container and, above all, for the content. Dimensions 74 x 332 x 15,5 cm.