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Catacomb saints – an altar displaying bones believed to be those of martyrs
from the Roman catacombs. Valetta, Malta.

were put on display, encrusted with gems and dressed in fanciful inter-
pretations of ancient Roman costume. In his lavishly illustrated book,
Heavenly Bodies23 , Paul Koudounaris recounts the histories of some of
these extraordinary remains.

At the same time small relics were distributed in huge numbers,
always in sealed reliquaries as required by Trent. Churches amassed large
collections, but many also went to individuals for personal devotion.
Well-to-do Catholic families and members of the aristocracy would usu-
ally have a private chapel in their houses, and no private chapel was
complete without a collection of relics to sanctify the space and, per-
haps, to keep up with the neighbours.

23 Ibid

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