RARE Convent Antique Nineteenth Century Silver Sacred Heart Reliquary Ex Voto with Turquoise Stones

A rare and tiny convent example (measuring 3/4” tall), it has an inner “door” which opens to reveal a small chamber for a relic or written intention. It originates from a lifetime collection in the Champagne region of France and dates towards 1880. This precious sacred heart would have been owned by a religious person, most likely a nun, who would have worn it on a chain attached to a belt or worn around her neck underneath her habit.The silver (no hallmarks found but tests .925) heart has a crossing Crown of Thorns which is set with small turquoise stones. The stones are placed in an engraved channel which depicts a flat vine with thorns. There is is a small round latch, thumb hold and lower latch at the right which opens the precious heart. The interior back has a scrap of green silk (which has worn to threads with age). There is a separate glass heart shaped panel which has an outer edging of silver. This is placed over the relic or intention so it can be seen. The panel is not fixe