Antique Austro Hungarian Enamel Jesus Christ In Crown of Horns Religious Pendan

This is a very special and rare, stunning Jesus Christ wearing a Crown of Thorns pendant. It is a souvenir from the Basilica of Mariazell in Austria. Here is the story....

In 1157 a monk named Magnus found his path blocked by a huge boulder while travelling. He placed a small statue of Mary on the rock praying for guidance. The rock split in half enabling him to pass. Following this miracle he built a small cell - “zell” in German - and lived and prayed in it. The first church of Mariazell was build on this spot around 1200 by Duke Henry of Mahren after he and his wife were miraculously healed at this site. It was replaced by a large gothic church in 1340 by King Louis I of Hungary and then again transformed between 1644 and 1704 into an even more magnificent church with fourteen chapels. It has been elevated to a Basilica in 1909 and is dedicated to the nativity of Mary, a famous site of pilgrimage. Mariazell, "Mary in the cell" is known as the Great Mother of Austria. Our Lady of Mariazell provides guidance, provision and hope. The pendant depicting Jesus Christ in a Crown of Thorns is very rare to find. It bears an inscription at the bottom of the frame "Maria-Zell"

The reverse of the pendant features wording in Latin "Ecce Homo". This translated to English means "behold the man". They are the words of Pontius Pilate to Christ's accusers before his crucifixion, as per John 19:5. The word "Ecce" is found in numerous religious and archaic phrases and relates to the spiritual, the divine. It signifies a human search for the greater than ourselves, the divine within us.

The pendant is not hallmarked but bears all the style and features of the workmanship of the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the very beginning of the 20th century and we date it to 1905-1910. We confirmed the gold as 14 karat by gentle testing. The inscription of "Maria-Zell" on the frame of the pendant confirms the origin.

The pendant presents phenomenal quality enamel work. The super fine detail and beautiful shading of colours is spectacular. The reverse of the pendant features hand painted porcelain, this has quite a bit of "nibbling" around the edges but is perfectly secure. The enamel on the front has some rubbing of the very top layer of the glaze only, but the main body of coloured enamel is intact. You can see it when examined very closely and turned in specific way towards the light, but not under normal conditions and when worn. We do not consider it an issue in this rare and beautiful pendant, it has been used and loved for over a 100 years. Please take a look at photo number 6 for how it looks. 

The frame is lovely and smooth with delicate engraved detail, beautiful in mellow rose gold and in perfect condition. The oval of the pendant measures 30.26 by 22.88 mm and its total length with the bale is 40.45 mm, a fantastic, large size. It weighs 6.73 grams. 

We adore .... this gorgeous souvenir of the Mariazell monastery in Austria. We love the rare subject, the fabulous quality and the sublime expression on Jesus's face. And most of all, we love the message he carries, that love is divine force.

* Please kindly note that other jewellery in our photos is for your inspiration and not included in this listing *

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