Folding Metal Relicario Fan (Mid-20th Century)

$110.00

An ornate folding relicario-style fan, crafted from cast metal alloy (likely pewter or nickel-based) with embossed floral and scrollwork details. Each “leaf” of the fan is richly decorated, and the whole piece pivots at a central hinge, allowing it to open and close like a miniature hand fan. Designed not as jewelry, but as a devotional or decorative object, it channels the elegance of reliquaries and the symbolic grace of the folding fan.

Usage (Then & Now)

Then: Likely a devotional or commemorative object, meant to be displayed in small shrines, leaned on altars, or kept as a symbolic keepsake.
Now: A striking collectible with dual appeal — both as an esoteric artifact and as a decorative curiosity. Perfect for altars, display cabinets, or simply as a conversation piece that demands to be picked up and folded open.

Obscure Lore
Folklore suggests that closing the fan “locks away” a secret, while opening it releases whispers of prayers long forgotten. Handle carefully if you don’t want to hear them all at once.

Modern Appeal
Part reliquary, part ornament, this folding fan relicario brings together devotional symbolism and functional intrigue. Its ability to open and close makes it uniquely tactile compared to most static devotional objects.