These kind of ornamental boxes are called reliquaries, because they contain relics. Sometimes the reliquaries have chapels built around them by the faithful. These kind of relics are often purported to be the body parts of saints. You said the paper seemed translucent... Like skin? Just a thought.
undividual t1_j211ovu wrote
Reply to comment by sunshine_dreaming in Does Anyone Know How to Properly Store an Old Book? by sunshine_dreaming
These kind of ornamental boxes are called reliquaries, because they contain relics. Sometimes the reliquaries have chapels built around them by the faithful. These kind of relics are often purported to be the body parts of saints. You said the paper seemed translucent... Like skin? Just a thought.