{"product_id":"tabernacle","title":"Italian Walnut Table Tabernacle or Reliquary Cabinet, Likely Northern Italy, Circa 17th–18th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItalian Walnut Table Tabernacle or Reliquary Cabinet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLikely Northern Italy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCirca 17th–18th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA deeply evocative small devotional cabinet, hand crafted in solid walnut and fitted with hand forged iron and brass hardware. This form is consistent with table tabernacles or reliquary cupboards used in private chapels or domestic devotional settings across Italy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe architectural shape, with its domed top and plinth base, echoes church tabernacles on a miniature scale. The door is framed in brass with a working lock and key, opening to a simple interior cavity once intended to house sacred objects, relics, or Eucharistic elements depending on its original use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe wood shows extensive age and character, with visible tool marks, worming, and surface wear that strongly support early construction. The hardware appears largely period or very early, including hand cut hinges and a shaped key escutcheon typical of 17th to early 18th century work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePieces like this were not decorative in origin. They were functional objects tied to daily devotion, often placed on a home altar or within a private prayer space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile Italian attribution is most likely based on form, materials, and construction, similar examples were also produced in parts of Spain and Southern France. The craftsmanship and hardware lean strongly Southern European.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood antique condition with significant age wear\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSurface wear, worming, and patina throughout\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInterior untouched and original\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLock and key present and functioning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStructurally sound\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is the kind of piece that carries presence. Not polished. Not refined. But deeply authentic and full of quiet history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sarah \u0026 Elijah Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44198834307132,"sku":null,"price":1650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0587\/4827\/2700\/files\/IMG_8342.jpg?v=1776208393","url":"https:\/\/www.sarahandelijahantiques.com\/products\/tabernacle","provider":"Sarah \u0026 Elijah Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}