17th Century Alpine Tabernacle From Hautes-Alpes, France

Most likely originating in the Queyras valley of France, this Alpine tabernacle was hand-carved from mountain pine in the 1600s. The Queyras is located in the Hautes-Alpes department and is one of the oldest ranges in the Alps, with the pristine dale remaining unavailable to tourists until the end of the 20th century.

Our charming tabernacle is presented dans son jus (in its original state), meaning the piece has commensurate wear, enhancing the character of the religious vessel. Two compartments make up the tabernacle, each with an arching door adorned with a stellate flower (the smaller upper door has four petals, while the lower door has six petals). An overhanging apron, subtly embellished with step molding, separates the two compartments. Interestingly, the doors open in different directions, further emphasizing the segregation. There is a small apron on the front side, also featuring fine step molding. Tabernacles such as our 17th-century one were often found in churches, where they would be used to store religious icons, offerings, and holy vessels.