Reliquary

The reliquary consists of an embossed silver slab nailed to a wooden core; the base rests on two curled feet and is adorned with large scrolls connected to the centre by a plant element. The knot, mixed with gilts, is decorated with acanthus leaves. At the centre of the reliquary there are three oval openings, covered with glass, in which are enclosed the relics of St. Barnabas the Apostle, St. Theodorus Martyr and St. Martin. The three cases have a mixed style and are surrounded by scrolls, above which there is a cross-laced termination. On the back are engraved in the wax three coat of arms belonging to two archpriests of the Church of Altamura: one is of Monsignor Carlo Giuseppe Cecchini (1904 - 1909), while on two of the three cases there is that of Mons. Federico Guarini (1818 - 1828) ( Denora-Tota 2012, pp.129-130; 114). The well-made reliquary is characterized by a rich rococo decoration, typical of the eighteenth-century Neapolitan goldsmith production (Cascione 2000, p.62). Through the identification of the punches placed on the left foot, it was possible to date the reliquary to 1740, reading the stamp of art (Catello 1996, p.16-17), and attribute it to the Neapolitan silversmith Antonio Guariniello (Catello 1996, p 54), who realized it in the year of his consulate (Catello 1996, p.32).