Caravaca Cross Bronze Christ Crucifix Cherubs Chalice Spain XVIIth Century

Cross with double branch called Caravaca* in finely chiseled bronze, decorated with the crucified Christ on one side, the Virgin Mary at his feet; on the other a priest kneeling in prayer with a chalice above him, all surrounded by cherubs, from Spain, from the 17th century. This cross is in good general condition, in its juice. A note: some shocks and wear of time, see photos. * The Cruz de Caravaca is a cross-shaped reliquary with two crosspieces containing a fragment of the cross of Christ. According to tradition, it would have belonged to Patriarch Robert, first bishop of Jerusalem conquered from the Muslims by the First Crusade (1099). According to tradition, the cross miraculously appeared in Caravaca on May 3, 1232. Indeed, at that time Caravaca was governed by a Moorish king who held many Christians in his prisons, including a priest. The latter made it known that his function was to say Mass "during which God himself offers himself as a victim for men and descends to the altar at the prayer of his minister". The king, very interested in these remarks, ordered him to celebrate mass in his presence in his palace. The priest answered that certain objects were necessary for the celebration. The king then dispatched a messenger who left for Cuenca with orders to bring back whatever was desired. The priest began the office in the presence of the king and his court. But, as he approached the altar, he noticed that a cross was missing and that it was impossible for him to celebrate Mass without a cross on the altar. Then suddenly appeared, in a dazzling light, a cross with a double cross carried by two angels. It later turned out that the cross was that of the Patriarch of Jerusalem. The celebrations commemorating this prodigious event are celebrated every year from May 1 to 5 in Caravaca. Since this miracle, the city of Caravaca has become an important place of pilgrimage in Europe. It is likely that the pilgrims who went there brought back these crosses in memory of their pilgrimage. (See Palissy notice, culture.gouv site) Cross: 6.3 cm x 14.8 cm Reference: D40 295 All the photos are on: www.antiques-delaval.com