{"product_id":"antique-french-framed-crucifix","title":"Antique French Framed Crucifix","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003eBeautiful antique French religious display featuring a \u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003ecrucifix mounted on red velvet\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e within an ornate golden circular frame. Notably, a thin, dried botanical branch or reed is placed vertically alongside the left side of Jesus's body, leaning against the cross. \u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003ePopularized during the \u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003eNapoleon III era (c. 1870–1900)\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, these frames were crafted specifically for private home altars (\u003cem class=\"zhvwWe\"\u003eautels domestiques\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e). The deep crimson red velvet backing was intentional; it was designed to stand in stark contrast to the light-colored corpus of Christ, making the central piece stand out.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003eBecause true palm trees do not grow naturally in northern and central France, French Catholics traditionally substitute \u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003esprigs of Buxus (boxwood) or local reeds\/twigs during Palm Sunday Mass\u003c\/span\u003e. Believers bring these branches to church to have them blessed, then take them home and \u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003eplace them directly next to the family crucifix\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. The branch is left there for the entire year to invite divine protection over the household until it is replaced the following Easter. Clearly, this has been there for a long time, as all the leaves and branches are long gone. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003eJesus is made of celluloid. Invented in the late 19th century, \u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003ecelluloid\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e was widely embraced by French artisans from the \u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003e1880s through the 1920s\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. It was specifically engineered as an alternative to expensive, restricted luxury materials like ivory and bone.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e Manufacturers purposefully tinted celluloid a warm, creamy off-white color to replicate the precise aging pattern of natural materials. It was exceptionally popular for molding highly detailed, mass-manufactured religious figures, pocket shrines, and rosary beads across Europe. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003eThe back has the original velvet and the original triangle hanger. It measures 6.25\" in diameter and is a lovely piece. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Monahan Papers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59889390453022,"sku":null,"price":88.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/6170\/1150\/files\/2026-09-0410.07.03.jpg?v=1788537163","url":"https:\/\/www.monahanpapers.co\/products\/antique-french-framed-crucifix","provider":"Monahan Papers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}