Latin America, Mexico, ca. 1800 to 1850 CE. A .925 sterling silver double heart, one adorned with roses and the other with thorned branches perhaps representing Christ's crown of thorns, both pierced by a dagger, possessing strong associations in Catholicism. This example was handcrafted using the chaise and repousse technique rather than molds. As such, even though certain designs appear to be similar, it is nearly impossible to find an identical example. Size: 9-1/4" x 8" at widest point; weighs 6 ounces (174.5 grams of silver).

Such imagery represents the Virgin Mary's sadness over the death of her son and when associated with Christ, the heart symbolically is the source of blood or wine, the principal element of the Holy Communion. The creation of such silver hearts began after the 16th century Spanish conquest of the Incan empire. At this point, skilled craftsmen began creating sophisticated pieces for the Spanish noble class. Their creations were also exported to Spain and the throughout Europe.

Our beloved colleague, the late James Caswell of Historia Antiques, described the symbolism of the heart so eloquently. In his words, "Long considered the nucleus of physical and well being, beliefs surrounding the heart have been a source of inspiration in music, literature, and art throughout history. The inclusion of an image of the heart in a painting meant passion for spiritual knowledge and it serves today as a universal symbol for giving and receiving. Popular phrases related to the heart exist in all languages. We say something cheerful, robust, or abundant is hearty, that someone kind-hearted is considerate, and something from the heart is sincere. Heart-felt, a lot of heart, or a good, big, warm-heart are highly desirable and heartlessness, a false cold-heart, or a heart of stone should be carefully avoided. We say a brave heart is courageous and an unblemished one is pure, while a broken heart means one suffers from an emotional loss. In Catholicism the sadness of the Virgin Mary over the death of her son is represented by a heart pierced dagger - or alternately seven, with each representing a distinct sorrow. When the heart is associated with Christ it refers to the symbolic role that his blood and suffering play in the holy communion whereas in today's popular culture the heart is best known as a symbol of eros or romantic love."

Provenance: Ex-Historia Antiques, Santa Monica, CA.

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#109714

Intact with expected surface aging