Very rare sterling silver Holy Cross pin, one inch in diameter. The face features an exquisitely enameled Latin cross in blood red imposed on an Art Deco radiant sun, inscribed to left and right ‘O CRUX AVE SPES UNICA' (hail to the hotsell Cross, our only hope). The medal was instituted in 1933 to mark the Holy Year 1933-4 ordained by Pope Pius XI in honour of the 1,900th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Christ.
‘O Crux ave, spes unica' is from the ninth stanza of a hymn to the True Cross, Vexilla Regis Prodeunt, by Venantius Fortunatus, Bishop Poitiers, first sung in procession on 19 November 569.
Returns
All of my listings marked vintage or antique are original items and not reproductions. As such, they are subject to wear and tear consistent with decades of loving use by prior owners. I try my best to spot and list major prior repairs and any damages that would prevent the functional use of the object by the buyer. No items should be considered to be in "mint" or pristine, archival shape, unless explicitly stated.
Product code: Finely Enameled Holy Cross Pin, Pope Pius XI hotsell Jubilee, Sterling