Rare Antique Relic of Saint Catherine of Siena | 19th-Century Reliquary & Episcopal Authentication

A rare and deeply historical Catholic relic associated with Saint Catherine of Siena, accompanied by an original 19th-century ecclesiastical authentication document.

At the centre of this small devotional reliquary is a preserved fragment identified by its original label as belonging to Saint Catherine of Siena (Santa Caterina da Siena), one of the most important mystics and saints of the Catholic Church.

The relic is enclosed beneath glass within an ornate circular metal reliquary, surrounded by delicate gold-tone openwork and beaded decoration.

What makes this piece particularly remarkable is that it is accompanied by its original ecclesiastical document, handwritten and signed in the 19th century.

The Latin document identifies the relic as:

“ex reliquiis Sanctae Catharinae Senensis, Virginis”

and records that the relic was reverently placed in a round metal theca, securely closed and sealed for ecclesiastical custody and devotion.

The document bears the episcopal identification of Ignatius Maria Sellitti, Bishop of Melfi and Rapolla, together with an embossed episcopal seal and original signatures.

The relic itself retains its original aged appearance, with visible signs of time, patina and wear to the metal setting. The reverse of the reliquary also preserves its aged surface and markings.

This is not simply a devotional object, but a fascinating surviving piece of 19th-century Catholic devotional and ecclesiastical history, preserving both the relic and the historical documentation connected with its custody.

Saint Catherine of Siena

Saint Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) was a Dominican tertiary, mystic and influential spiritual writer. She became one of the most revered women in Christian history and was later declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI.

Her relics continue to be venerated in Rome and Siena, including important relics preserved in the Basilica of San Domenico in Siena.

✦ INCLUDED

• Antique reliquary containing the identified relic fragment
• Original 19th-century ecclesiastical authentication document
• Original handwritten Latin identification
• Episcopal seal / embossed seal visible on the document
• Historical signatures
• Original aged metal reliquary setting

✦ CONDITION

The reliquary is offered in its historic, unrestored condition.

It shows natural signs of age including:

• patina;
• surface wear;
• oxidation/discoloration;
• scratches and small imperfections;
• age-related changes to the paper and metal.

The original document is also naturally aged, with discoloration, folds, handling marks and signs of time.