Posted 8 years ago
lee120275
(46 items)
C1920 religious Italian bronze wall plaque Pope/Saints/churches. Item can be hung on the wall or even stand on its own, very nicely made and was made for the tourist trade. The etching on the bronze is spectacular as always with the Italians. I really like this bronze as it has been done to a very nice standard. It has been done by hand and the metal used is of a very good standard. The items I come across which come from Italy are as good as anywhere in the world and I can't wait to go on holiday there very soon. Item is unmarked other than the Roman numerals at the bottom and stands 9" X 6". Any other info on the item would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
Does anyone know what the keys and crown emblem at the top represent.
The keys are the keys of St eter and the crown is the Papal Crown.
The year MCMXXV is 1925 and was a Holy Year. Holy Years go back to 1300.The next was in 1350. Then 1400. From then on it was very 25 years. In 1500 Pope Alexander VI announced that the Doors in the four major basilicas would be opened contemporaneously, and that he himself would open the Holy Door of Saint Peter's.
The depiction of the four major Basilicas on your item celebrates that event I think.
"In the Holy Year 1925, Pius XI wished to direct the attention of the faithful to the prodigious work of the missions. To gain the indulgence, the people were asked to pray (according to the intention of the Pope) for peace among peoples."
http://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/docs/documents/ju_documents_17-feb-1997_history_en.html
This will beef out the significance of a Jubilee Year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_(Christianity)
2015-2016 was an extraordinary Jubilee Year - "Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_Jubilee_of_Mercy
It will end in this November.
In the 20th century, Jubilees were held in 1925, 1933 (in commemoration of Jesus' death), 1950, 1966 (post-Council jubilee[6]), 1975, 1983 (Holy Year of the Redemption) and 2000.
Thank's to everyone for liking this ecspecially vetraio for his comments and some great info