Found this crucifix at an 1830's homestead. Trying to get some background history about it and the skull and crossbones at the bottom.
View attachment 1779852.
The cross measures 4 1/8" x 1 7/8".
FROM: John Roberson, In another life I was a professor of philosophical theology (Quoro)
Answered Sep 16, 2014
Originally Answered: I found a silver Crucifix with skull and bones at the bottom of jesus feet. At the top of the cross is a metal piece with the letters that look to say “INRI” in a scroll what dose the skull and cross bones mean and what time period is ot from?
INRI = Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum
In Latin this means, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." It was the inscription put above Jesus on the cross. He was satirized as the crucified king, but still pleaded, "Father, forgive them."
The skull and cross bones refers to the hill on which Jesus was crucified. It was called "Golgotha," place of the skull. This represents the world "in Adam," the world as it had become a place of death under the reign of humanity.
Metaphorically, then, Jesus is raised up on top of our dying world by an instrument of imperial violence and mocked for powerlessness, but once lifted up was able to pour out his own life for the life and peace of our broken world.