Garnets With Relic of St. Frances

 

"Garnets With Relic"

Available on Etsy

I was thrilled to find this beautiful, vintage Saint Frances Cabrini (Mother Cabrini) brooch and breathe new life into it.  The top of the brooch is engraved with the initials "RAK."  As it happens, this modern day acronym perfectly fits the personality and deeds of Saint Frances.  She was born in Italy and traveled to America where she opened numerous orphanages, hospitals and schools.  She had a heart for children and, while in America, worked among Italian immigrants which is why she's known as the patron saint of immigrants.

 

The brooch is about 1 1/2 inches, is Italian and is engraved on the front with her name, "Sancta Francisca Xaverio Cabrini."  Beautiful!

The back of this amazing medal is a reliquary with the words "Ex Inovmentis" meaning "from the clothing" written around the reliquary window.  Religious reliquaries usually contain some tiny bit of clothing or other object known to have been worn or owned by the saint.

 

Now that I've told you a bit about Frances, I'll tell you something about me.  My thoughts on using religious medals in my work are this:  it doesn't bother me at all to use medals and rosaries in my jewelry.  But, I respect the fact that someone out there could be bothered.  I'm not superstitious.  I don't believe in the power of saints.  To me, the power lies in Christ alone.  But, I do believe that people have been empowered by Him...and still are!  Miracles do happen...I credit them to God.  He works through us, if we let Him.  For me, this is what saints, and the medals that depict them, represent;  God working through us, faith, prayer and power.  I love the stories behind the saints and the evidence of great faith they provide.  I favor pieces with the patina of age and, often, these pieces have been rubbed and handled so much they're worn smooth.  I imagine the comfort and strength gained from many hours of prayer, medal or crucifix in hand.  So, I'm glad to use these lovely pieces and hope they represent the same things to others.

 

I used huge, faceted garnets in the front of this piece...they're a little over 1/2 inch long.  It's really hard to catch the color of garnets.  They look black in the photos but, you'll have to trust me, they're deep red.  I used vintage brass chain from France for the rest of the necklace.  For the clasp I used a vintage watch fob clip, with a bit of black grosgrain ribbon still attached, and a vintage brass ring, also from France.

 

Dangling from the clasp is more vintage French chain and a small, faceted garnet with a crystal roundelle and vintage rhinestone head pin.

  

 

This piece is available on Etsy.

Comments

[lilibulle]

magnifique piece!! this is stunting!!!!

[judy wilkenfeld]

Stunning. I so love all your explanations too.

[Stephani Gorman]

Very Pretty Deryn, Your work is amazing, this is such a pretty piece. :) Stephani

[lee w.]

gorgeous! YOu have the most amazing collection of religious items. I LOVE the pin, it looks wonderfully worn. Old engraving is the most amazing thing!! I think it's wonderful to use these pieces, that's what they're made for- to remind us!

[Christine Damm]

I completely agree with your concept of working with these pieces. What you do with them, to repurpose them as cherished pieces infused with your love, craft and care is to truly respect them-- else, they would languish in someone's jewelry box or worse yet, end up in a pile at a fleamarket. You've taken a beautiful piece and made it even better!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Deryn-The depth of your soul knows no bounds. I think that both your use of this lost and forgotten piece and your faithful retelling of the story really do show how much you appreciate these treasures and the power that they have. I think that you are brilliant! Just brilliant! (And I would secretly love to shadow you while you are shopping...where do you manage to find such awesome things?) Enjoy the day! (I always do when I visit you!). Erin

[Jennifer]

What a beautiful piece! I have often gone back and forth on the issue of using religious pieces in my art... thank you for your words on this!

[Shuku]

This is so beautiful. The reliquary is a real find, you're right - so much history to it and it's lovely when put together with the rest. One story to the next, and this piece is a collection of stories pieced together with loving care. I envy whoever eventually owns it!

[Marie-Aimée]

simply beautiful

[Renate]

Another exceptional piece!!!! What a lovely medal. Sigh.....

[Lola M.]

What an amazing find, and you've created a gorgeous piece with it. I come from a Catholic family and I have not shown any of them (or many other people for that matter) what I create with the medals, rosaries, and such. I think some like my grandmother would likely be disapproving at first. But hopefully she and others like her would realize it's a thing of beauty created with reverence, not desecration with ill intent. Great work as always, Deryn!

[Sallyt]

Wow! What a fantastic find that Brooch is!!! You made a gorgeous necklace with it, why am I not surprised? This is one of my favs...love that the bits of fabric from St. Francis' clothing is in there! This piece is gasp-and-hold-your-breath wonderful.

[sharon]

This is absolutely stunning. You are obviously deeply rooted in your faith, which I think enables you to produce pieces that portray absolute beauty and confidence. You are very knowledgeable of that faith also, and I think anyone who self educates to understand is truly committed to what they do. Again, you emit inspiration! Thanks for sharing this. You have personally helped me in understanding something of myself. Sharon