Saturday, April 7, 2012

The Cross...

Hello Mes Amis, I hope everyone is having a lovely Easter weekend so far. And in honor of this beautiful and spiritual occasion, I am sharing with you on this post my vast collection of crosses. Some are so exquisite and sacred that it has been hard to let go of them over the years. The meaningful and simple elegance of this sacred symbol  has transcended through the decades and still brings many people great joy and comfort when wearing or beholding them. Especially me....


...an old pocket shrine with the sacred emblem gracing the top.



...French mother of pearl rosaries with sterling and hand carved mother of pearl crucifixes...




...a lovingly stitched vintage silk cross reliquary...




...stunning Victorian onyx ..


...and French enamel....



...engraved antique Nun's crosses from the turn of the century...



...vintage silk embroidered scapulars....



...black ebony hanging from hand-knotted Victorian jet...



...a French sacred heart cross..



...a Victorian mother of pearl bog oak mourning brooch...



...an enamel blue rose under acrylic crucifix...



...beautiful guilloche enamel and a celluloid crucifix...



...there's even a cross with  'a view'...



....rhinestone Stanhopes also make up some of my collection....


...and when you look through the centers of them there are images of holy places or the Lord's prayer inside.


...an old carved wooden Nun's rosary....



...the Nun's cross I was baptized in...






This is just a very small part of my collection. I have been collecting these sweet gems for many years and they give me great comfort having them displayed all throughout my art room or when I wear them out on my everyday journey. To think of the joy and comfort they may have brought someone over the years before I have owned them and to think of the real meaning behind this amazing symbol of love and sacrifice makes these antique treasures very, very special to me.
Do you have a special cross or crucifix that you love to wear?

Happy Easter my friends!!!
He is Risen!


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

These crosses are so beautiful, it's a comfort just looking at them! I also collect crosses and especially love the antique Italian and French ones. Thank you for sharing your creations, they are SO beautiful.

Happy, blessed Easter!

Theresa

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful collection. Happy Easter !

lorraine said...

Thank You my friend, for the end to a perfect day.....yhe pictures are all lovely. My favorite cross is course the Cross of Lorraine.....one is made into a necklace by you and Always brings compliments and admiration when I wear it.....The other is a Mother of pearl Cross of Lorraine...simple and lovely......waiting to be the focal of a special piece.
Happy Easter, Christine.
Lorraine

Rhonda said...

Truly my favorite Easter post! How gorgeous your collection is. You've captured them so well, Christine.

Your necklaces are what others dream of!

suziqu's thread works said...

Dear Christine
I arrived here via Rhonda's blog.
I have never seen such a beautifully photographed collection of crosses.
How special is that!
Your jewellery is superb!

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

Oh my, these are beautiful! I've never seen a collection like this. I have a few rosaries and such, but yours are so special. I found you from Rhonda's blog at A Little Bit French. Off to check out your shop now.

Nice to "meet" you,
Judy

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

That very last cross, that black one with the silver edges....that is EXACTLY like the one my dear mother had on her rosary!!!!!!!!!!!

MY GOODNESS, what a fantastic display/collection of various styles and ages of some of the most beautiful jewelry my dear! AND THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for visiting me! I do hope you are inspired every day of your life through the LOVE of God.....enjoy! Anita