A museum-quality imperial reliquary, or shrine, is set to highlight a forthcoming Munich auction, which will also feature a raft of military and historical items.
The reliquary - a gift from the Belgian royal family to Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria in 1888 - commands a €250,000 ($331,711) estimate - testament to its jewel encrusted exterior and imperial provenance.
 The reliquary, or shrine, was modelled on the shrine in the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges |
Standing 11.1 metres tall and weighing over 25 kg, the substantial royal gift features an enamelled image of the Holy Ghost as well as several fine enamelled paintings featuring biblical scenes.
The highly anticipated sale is to take place from April 29 to May 9; antiquities, arms and armour and Asian arts are among the plethora of impressive items set to go under the hammer.
Also to star at the sale is a late Gothic cross bow (believed to be circa 1500) that has been estimated at €18,000 ($23,890) and a range of objects from the original armoury of the Munich arsenal, among them a rare and heavy sword, circa 1600. It is expected to be worth in excess of €15,000 ($19,909).
Militaria tells a story, and as collectors attribute ever increasing values to history's major conflicts, items' appeal, as well as their value, is set to rise.
The medals and memorabilia asset area offers a rare opportunity to mix historical interest with strong investment returns. Visit Paul Fraser Collectibles' free guide to investing in medals and militaria for more market information.
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