Where to put the relics?

The Czech Republic has just issued a beautiful stamp sheetlet celebrating the Reliquary of Saint Maur at Becov Nad Teplou. A reliquary is used to house the relics of Roman Catholic Saints. This particular reliquary held relics of Saints Maur, Timothy and John the Baptist. It is a beautiful wooden box, shaped like a house and decorated with gilt, precious and semi-precious stone, and filigree. The reliquary was created in the 13th Century in what is now Belgium. In 1838 it was withdrawn from use due to excess wear and sold to an aristocrat who had lands in both Belgium and in lands now part of the Czech Republic. It was presumed lost during World War II and was only rediscovered in the 1980s. It has since been restored and is on display at a Czech chateau.

The sheet consists of one stamp showing the front of the reliquary, the sheet has the whole piece and a close up of one of the statues on it. It is a well done piece of postage and will be a perfect addition for the Czech collector, or those interested in historical or artwork stamps. Further information on the stamp is available from the Czech Post.