Treasure of the Holy Sepulchre. Ediz. illustrata

Gathered together over the centuries and spared none of their events, the works in precious metals, vestments, paraments and paintings presented here can certainly be regarded as a treasure both by virtue of their nature and especially because they were crafted for the sanctuaries in the Custody of the Holy Land and the religious services held there. The Latin or Catholic treasure of the Holy Places of Palestine, above all Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth, are pledges of faith and piety in accordance with hallowed forms. High points of art engendered by the munificence of Catholic sovereigns, republics and donors, some of the objects displayed are the unique remnants of collections that could otherwise have disappeared entirely. Lamps, chalices, vestments and other sumptuous articles point to the promise enclosed in the emptiness of the “only tomb that will have nothing to yield up at the end of time” (Chateaubriand): objects of luxury and lavish expenditure, luxury for God. Without a