Relic soil, stones and wood from the Holy Land. The work of a nun.

[Holy Land] / [Relics] / [Klosterarbeiten]. [Holy Land relics framed]. S.l. [German-speaking lands]: s.n., s.a. [19th century]. [17.5 x 12.1 x 3.7 cm, exterior of frame], [1] framed and glazed collection of relics from sites in the Holy Land, items labeled in manuscript on vellum strips, decorated with golden and silvery filagree and imitation pearls and gems. Wood frame gilded and with applied metal corner pieces, metal rig for hanging. Frame a bit rubbed, paper to back of frame perhaps renewed.
 
 
Unusual framed and glazed collection of 7 labeled relics from the Holy Land. The ornate filigree and use of imitation gems and pearls is typical of 18th- and 19th-century Klosterarbeiten, i.e., the work of German nuns who made such items for the use of their convents or to give/sell to the faithful.
 
The two labels at the upper corners refer to Bethlehem, the two at the sides refer to the Olive Tree in at Gethsemane (“Vom Oelbaum im H: Gethsem”), and the two at the bottom corners refer to the Mount of Olives The (“Vom hl: Oelberg”). These rather elliptical texts suggest that the relics are soil from those pilgrimage sites, or bits of wood or leaves in the case of the Gethsemane relic. The central label indicates that the relic is from the “Stone of St. John [the Baptist]” (“Vom Steine H: Joh: d[…]”), and this perhaps refers to the “Stone of Hiding” at the Church of the Visitation or one of the other grotto sites associated with his birth or hermitage.
 
 
*H. Neubert, Klosterarbeiten aus fränkischen Sammlungen; Exh. Cat., Klosterarbeiten aus dem Bodenseeraum: Historisches Museum St. Gallen, 11. Januar-23. Februar 1986.