Overview
A silver-toned devotional reliquary pendant featuring the high-relief portrait of Mother Tecla Merlo. The reverse contains a small glass-covered aperture housing a second-class relic, specifically a fragment of her clothing.
Preliminary identification
Blessed Tecla Merlo 'Ex Indumentis' Reliquary Medal
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Story
Mother Tecla Merlo co-founded the Daughters of St. Paul in 1915 to spread the Gospel through modern media. This medal contains a piece of her actual habit, turning a simple piece of jewelry into a portable sacred space.
Maker / Origin
While the specific medalist is unmarked, these pieces were typically commissioned by the Pauline Family in Italy. They were distributed to the faithful following her death in 1964 as she moved toward beatification, which occurred in 1994.
Condition & Value
The medal shows honest wear and a lovely dark patina consistent with being handled or worn. The relic and its glass cover appear intact and undisturbed, which is vital for its devotional value. Condition is good for its age.
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.