Altar Item Number: 2956/182 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Registo with an image of Santa Barbara adhered to pink backing, surrounded by floral decoration in a frame with a glass front. Orange paper covers the sides, blue paper with white design along the front edges. Four pink roses on each corner and two red metal flowers on each side inside the box. Small metal loop on top for hanging.

History Of Use

Registos, elaborately decorated images of saints, are made throughout Portugal and used as household shrines and decorations. They attained their greatest popularity in the 18th century, after the increased production and circulation of engraved images throughout Europe. Registos were sometimes given by the Church and lay brotherhoods to congregations and pilgrims on special saints days as mementos in appreciation of their offerings. Many were later used as bookmarks for Bibles and prayer books or, in the case of small prints, were attached to a pilgrim’s hat or clothes and valued as religious souvenirs. More elaborate images, framed and decorated with rare and luxurious materials made by nuns, were purchased and displayed in richer households.