GATE OF HEAVEN: (1800s or older) Mary is known as the Gate of Heaven in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, Joseph holding the lily staff in one hand and the child Jesus in the other in front of this Gate of Heaven, giving way to a symbol of the Holy Family. Recently saw a Retablo (Traditional painting of a saint on either tin or wood) of Joseph holding the Christ child in his left hand, the lily staff in the right - framed in a floral arch very similar to this medal. It is by Jose de Gracia Gonzales (American, New Mexican Santero), San Jose, Retablo, c. 1850-75, painted wood, Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM. Part of our Equatoria Collection. ABOUT OUR MEDALS: All medals on our website are hand cast from antiques and vintage pieces in sterling silver and solid bronze then antiqued to restore original patina. : ( determined by gram wt of metals at time of casting) BRONZE: $15 STERLING: $26