Beautiful antique Sacre Coeur holy prayer card I purchased in Ouest, France, circa the 1800s. This piece is an absolutely stunning hand-painted work of art and measures 4.25 inches by 2.8 inches.
Pocket-sized images of religious figures, known as holy cards, first appeared in the 1500s. These cards were designed to be carried around or displayed in a person’s home, allowing everyday people to incorporate saints and other religious figures into their daily lives.
An interesting side note: holy cards suffered during the aftermath of World War II. After 1945, many manufacturers of holy cards in Europe went out of business, as they were forced to seek more lucrative design and printing jobs from corporations. As a result, these items have become increasingly difficult to find over time.
Please feel free to email me with any questions.
