Reliquary busts are something we have shown here before, usually originating in places such as Italy from the 15th through 19th centuries. While many find them of interest, it can be very easy to assume that these items are themselves consigned to be relics to the past, no longer available. This, in part, is due to our "catalogue mentality" where the liturgical arts are concerned. If one limits one's vision to what is produced and made available for ready purchase, then we will indeed be limited as such offerings are limited to the most widely saleable items. However, it can be easy to neglect the fact that liturgical artists still exist and it in indeed possible to make custom orders for customized products, whether we are speaking about vestments or items such as these.
This particular set of reliquary busts were designed and executed by King Richard's Liturgical Design, based out of Georgia. The busts were carved entirely from wood -- as it typical for reliquary busts such as these incidentally -- and then gilt. A look at the raw, unfinished product:
As is typical with these types of reliquary busts, these are then set upon the gradines of a high altar, frequently between the high altar candlesticks:
Here is a closer look at three of the finished reliquaries:
I am very pleased to see these being commissioned. Let's hope many others will follow suit and recall that there are many liturgical artists out there who are eager to pursue projects such as these. For more information, see King Richard's website or visit them on social media.
