The Relic- Bone & Orange Sapphire pendant necklace

🍀 THE RELIC 🍀

The Relic is inspired by the Shrine of St.Patrick.

This pendant has been hand carved in wax and cast in solid sterling silver which has been oxidised, the hand gesture in a blessing position. The middle finger is adorned with an orange sapphire ring. I made a bone cabochon out of some found remains from a local beach, this is set centrally on the back of the hand. One of a kind!

🍀THE HISTORY🍀

The Shrine of St.Patrick’s Hand is a 14th-15th century guided silver reliquary. It depicts the right forearm and is designed to hold what is believed to be a piece of bone belonging to the Saint. Every St. Patrick’s day this shrine is removed from the museum and used for ceremonial purposes. Known for his missionary work & banishing snakes, but I’m much more interested in the lore and ritual surrounding this item!

This pendant is centrally suspended from a section of oxidised paper link chain graduating into cable chain with hook closure, total length 21inches

Pendant 28mm x 24mm