French antique bronze reliquary cross.
It opens and contains a small piece of card with a piece of cloth that belonged to St Therese of Lisieux.
The relic has a partial wax stamp at the back. It seems to be the stamp of Mgr de Teil who was present during St Therese beatification process.
It is a third class relic and can be seen through a small glass window.

The inside is lined with velvet with a paper backing. It can be removed and looks like it got wet at some point.

The back of the cross has the inscription IHS and the lion, the bull, the eagle and the angel (the Tetramorph) which represent the four evangelists.

The cross is closed with a little pin but doesn't close perfectly (can be seen in the photograph of the profile of the cross).
Marks, scratches and small stains commensurate with age.

A truly beautiful and rare devotional object!
First half of the 20th Century.

Size 22.5 x 11.3 cm / 8.66 x 4.33"

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