Reliquary of Saint Peter’s keys

This piece is a small reliquary pendant that contains the filings from the chains of the imprisonment of Saints Peter and Paul. It is a small receptacle in the shape of a book, which containing two keys inside. One of silver in its natural color and another over-gilded, containing the mentioned filings from the chains. These keys hang vertically and are visible through the glass of the small door on the front. The little box intended for the deposit of the reliquaries has, as stated, the shape of a small book and is made of over-gilded silver.

Regarding its decoration, notable is the engraving on the reverse, which represents the imprisoned Saint Peter chained to the wall. Likewise, striking is the chromatic sequence created by the enamels on the edge of the little book, with a rhythmic alternation of black and white tones, as well as the floral decoration, also in enamel, on the spine of the little box.

Lastly, it should be noted that this piece is cited in the convent's inventory of relics:

En un librito de oro con dos llaves de lo mismo están dentro Limaduras de las Cadenas de San Pedro y San Pablo, que el Papa Paulo V envió al Conde de Lemos Don Pedro Fernández de Castro siendo Virrey de Nápoles (Monforte, Archivo del Convento de santa Clara, papeles sueltos; apud Sáez González, 1987: 212).