Description

PENAL CRUCIFIX 1722 -HISTORY: The agreed terms of the Treaty of Limerick were quickly contravened. In 1678, Lord Lieutenant Ormond barred Catholics from entering Dublin Castle without his expressed permission. Every session of the Irish Parliament, from 1695 to 1746, brought into law draconian measures against Catholics and assigned them a subservient position in Irish society. Their aim was to exclude Papists from political life, dispossess them of their remaining lands and to encourage conversions.

Note: For larger Penal Crucifix (SEE ECRX.307) http://ait.devops.design/domains/wp/rosaryworkshop2/product/irish-penal-crucifix-vintage-europe-mid-20c-2-5-in/

PENAL CRUCIFIX (Loch Derg Ireland): During this period schools were closed and many churches and abbeys were destroyed throughout Ireland. Priest-hunting was the order of the day but the people kept there faith. Crucifixes began to be made in secret. Mainly carved in wood, they were from six to ten inches long and the narrow cross-arm enabled them to be hidden up the sleeve of a jacket for easy concealment. (It was believed this shape came from the side arms breaking off, therefore made shorter to overcome the problem)

Known examples of these crosses with dates ranging from 1695 to 1823, are to be found in Irish museums. After 1823 Ireland was slowly emerging from Penal restrictions.

This small metal one is probably an early reproduction of the larger wooden penal crosses from the Loch Derg holy site in Ireland. A very, very rare find.

SYMBOLISM: OBVERSE: Figure in relief with nimbus around the head. Hand-engraved symbols of hammer, pincers, cords, ladder and spear incised around the figure.  Across the top shaft INRI.  At bottom of shaft below feet of cock over a pot, and two scourges. REVERSE: IHS across transom with cross rising into upper shaft from bar of H. Below the H is the long, vertical cruciform shaft and the date 1722. (this is the earliest we have seen to date).

ABOUT OUR METALS: All metals on our site have been hand cast from antiques and vintage pieces in sterling silver and solid bronze then antiqued to restore original patina.

PRICING SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE: (pricing determined by gram wt of precious metal at time of casting)

BRONZE  =  $20  (shown left)
STERLING  =  $49  (shown center)
WHITE BRONZE  =  $16  (shown right)

(actual size: 1.8750 in. H x .3125 in. W, including bail)