Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving
Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving
Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving
Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving
Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving
Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving
Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving
Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving
Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving
Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving

Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving

155,00€
155,00€
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Antique Jerusalem Altar Cross, Olive Wood inlaid Mother of Pearl, 14 Stages Of The Cross , Early 19th Century, Stunning Carving

Where we live is on the pilgrim route to the Holy Land that was guarded by the Knights Templar to protect the pilgrims as they made their way there and back.

The reason I mention that is because it must have been an early Christian from this region who made that pilgrimage and brought back this marvelous crucifix from Jerusalem. It is the only explanation as to why it should have been at an antique fair near my home.

This is a powerful piece 29 x 13 centimetres and s truly amazing.

The pierced round pieces of mother of pearl inlaid into the cross at the rear denote the 14 stages of the original cross and are plain and unassuming but the remainder is quite different. At the centre of each of these circles is a hole where earth from each place of the 14 stages is inserted.

Every piece is carved from Mother Of Pearl and carved into it is a stunning Corpus Christi and at the foot of the cross is The Virgin Mary. The Corpus Christi is in bronze.

For me it is the thought of the hardship that someone endured to make the arduous journey. That they bought this simple 'souvenir' cross and almost certainly took it on the 14 stages that the original cross traversed and then had it lovingly embellished.

It is so unusual to find a Jerusalem cross with such ornate mother of pearl work that is in almost perfect condition with no pieces missing. Here there is a very light nick to the corner of the piece on the right edge of the cross and a tiny piece missing from the left foot of the base.