Pair of 18th.c. Carved and Gilded Reliquary Busts

Remarkable pair of 18th.c. wooden carved and gilded reliquary busts, probably Italian c.1750. Large head and shoulder length busts of two unidentified saints both wearing a bishop's mitre and cope. Carved in limewood with painted faces and superb gilt gesso vestments with scratch carved and painted detail. With an elliptical glazed niche to the front of both containing a bone fragment and a polished silver box. Presented as found with minor cracking and damage to the gesso.