Cross Of The Order Of Preachers, Or The Habit Of St. Dominic. Gilded Bronze, Enamel. 17th Century.

Cross of the Order of Preachers or habit of Saint Dominic. Gilded bronze, enamel. 17th century.
Habit or insignia adorned with the fleur-de-lis cross of the Order of Preachers, also known as the Order of St. Dominic or the Dominicans, made of gilded bronze and decorated with black and white enamel on the front (the reverse is plain, revealing the metal). This emblem was commonly used by members (or their relatives) of the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, as Pope Gregory IX had entrusted this order with the persecution of heretics in the papal bull “Ille humani generis.” The Order of Preachers—in Latin: Ordo Praedicatorum, abbreviated OP—also known as the Dominican Order or the Order of Saint Dominic, was founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III in 1216. Its members, when they do so, wear a white habit with a scapular and a rosary of twenty mysteries (formerly fifteen) tied at the waist, as well as a black cape, worn in the choir. Until the 20th century, the tonsure was common. It is believed that this type of habit or insignia was modeled after sewn garments and appears frequently in 17th-century portraits; however, since this is a medal that was in use practically from that period onward, it is difficult to date and relatively common.
Dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 6.5 cm