Hal,
I am impressed. Did you happen to notice the observatory near by. Imagine it is really special.
Starman
I am impressed. Did you happen to notice the observatory near by. Imagine it is really special.
Starman
Despite my poor vision I was able to locate it with some help and a few laughs.Hal,
I am impressed. Did you happen to notice the observatory near by. Imagine it is really special.
Starman
somehiker,
It's iron, appears to have been exposed to fire and not at all difficult to locate. I took pictures and collected several stories about it that I will forward.
somehiker,
It's iron, appears to have been exposed to fire and not at all difficult to locate. I took pictures and collected several stories about it that I will forward.
somehiker,
It's iron, appears to have been exposed to fire and not at all difficult to locate. I took pictures and collected several stories about it that I will forward.
I thought by now someone would have figured out what it is. It is the key to the OZ library. Even Starman missed that.
Frank,
I believe what we have here is the idol part of a mine shrine. I would have thought the Virgin Mary more likely, but a large crucifix would work. Set that up in some small alcove near a mine, then pack it back to Mexico what its time to go home.
Unless it is more modern.
Mike
This practice was used until ca WWII. They often used a local patron saint in the shrines. Here it was Santo Nino de Atocha. Sometimes it was as simple as a crudely scratched cross (or three crosses) on a rock face.
Steve,
I believe "nino" means child. How does that relate to the artifact?
Thanks,
Joe
In those years silver was discovered in Fresnillo and mines were being opened in the mountains near the settlement. Within a few weeks of the opening of the mine of Fresnillo, there was an explosion and many miners were trapped. The wives of the miners went to the church of St. Augustine to pray for their husbands and noticed that the child on the image of Our Lady of Atocha was missing. At the same time, it was said that a child came to the trapped miners, gave them water and showed them the way out of the mine. Whenever there was a problem at the mine the child helped the miners in need. Each time this happened, the image of the child on the Virgin's arms was found to be dirty and his clothes had little holes in them. After that the Holy Child was taken off his mother's arms and put on a glass box for everyone to see. The Holy Child of Atocha has become a symbol of Zacatecas and the protector of miners. Many make pilgrimages to Plateros at Christmas to bring toys to the Holy Child.
In this context, it's "infant" as in the Holy Infant of Atocha.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Infant_of_Atocha
The relevancy being this: " ... The Holy Child of Atocha has become a symbol of Zacatecas and the protector of miners...
In my opinion, there are a few things about it that point to a modern casting but I could easily be proven wrong which, would make me very happy. Yes, they are two pieces that were designed to work together. The upper crucifix and the four legged base. Historically described as the Iron Cross, however I believe both are brass unless gold can form this type of patina. Very heavy, and I think that gollum nailed it on the head with what it was used for.
gollum,
They should be professionally photographed if it interests you.
Hal, What it was for is nice but what it depicts is the real mystery. The horned base may be the answer. Looking closer at the top I see what could be considered as a Grail Cup. Then again it may be considered as the Sun or God or both...it looks as though it has it's mouth sowed shut which is interesting...unless its a beard being depicted.
I've seen a lot of places where a drill hole required some sort of measured shaft with a sighting device sort of like Moses staff. Maybe this is a sighting device for locating an area or mine by insertion into a rod for said action?
Or the sun shine through it at the right time of day and year just like the map room in Indiana Jones. It may be another lead based cross like the ones in Tucson.
Do you have a separate picture of the base?
That may be the key to this. If it has four horns it could be what I said earlier. A Pagan cross over from a Mountain Goat God with Christ on the cross or Moses, Atlas, Hercules.
It's definitely not some sort of drinking vessel for rituals.
It could be Masonic very steeped in Allegory.
A Spiritual Journey.
Guys,
I received this comment from a professor who lives in Mexico City: "I looked at the image you sent me, and I have never seen anything like it either. It looks somewhat primitive."
I believe its origin and true meaning will continue to be a mystery.
Good luck,
Joe
Is the symbol on top a form of the 'All-Seeing-eye Pyramid', which can be found on other crucifixes?
According to google search, has an older religious meaning of 'divine providence', but now with more sinister meanings.
What say you experts?
Perhaps one of the most interesting details of the Iron crucifix. Here is a better image of it:
My Christian history is a little rusty, but didn't Jesus spend considerable time in Egypt?
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