HEAVY Solid Silver THICK Virgin Mary 3 Dimensional Pendant with Sterling Chain

HEAVY Solid Silver THICK Virgin Mary 3 Dimensional Pendant with Sterling Chain. This is a - stunning - piece that I picked up in the mid'90s while living in Santa Monica, California. It is (to say the least) the most unique religious pendant I've come across in my MANY years on this earth. These days, religious jewelry is all the same. Those same tired circular pendants - thin, lightweight, fragile, mass produced, unoriginal..

The religious jewelry industry is often looked at as "conventional" or "boring, " yet - it doesn't HAVE to be! This is a pendant that breaks ALL of those standard operating "rules" when it comes to religious jewelry. It is absolutely foreign in chosen shape, INCREDIBLY solid, very heavy, and wonderfully hand tooled..

If you are looking for a piece to remind you of your faith, but what something other than that typical icon medallion - here you have it. During the mid'90s, I was preparing for the birth of my first child. Having been born Christian, throughout the years I found I'd "strayed away" from the faith. With a CHILD on the way.

Well, you know what they say, people only turn to God when they need something from Him. I didn't need - something. I remembered that my mother had always had a deep affinity for the Virgin Mary (as I do today) and remembered too that above my bed as a child hung a painting of the Virgin Mother. My mother always used to say "Mary loves all of her children, " and she looks after them. " "Okay, " I remember thinking as I awaited the birth of my 1st, "will you look after mine?

As we grew nearer and nearer to the day, I realized that I had no imagery of the Virgin Mary anywhere throughout the house.. Suddenly, I longed to see her face!

I - needed - to see her face (this was a very nerve-wracking time to say the least). We went out and brought her image into the home. But, it wasn't enough. I wanted to feel her closeness when I was not in the home. These were the early days of my faith, and having a physical representation of that faith was very important to me.

Thus - off I was to the religious goods store in Santa Monica. I did NOT find'different' that day. The medals were all the same size, same shape, and every single one was flimsy, thin, delicate, lightweight.

Do you have a medal depicting Mary in sterling? Well, what was dropping into my palm to hold was SO light I barely even registered the weight. Mary's face on the pendant was so general and vague that I felt as though I were looking at any normal woman. I left, and resigned myself to the fact that for now - the little prayer card in my pocket would have to suffice in terms of keeping her near. The funny thing is, while I looked and looked and looked - my wife did no such thing.

He was known for THICK belt buckles of sterling silver and gold - hammered to achieve a rustic aesthetic. He also did silver and gold covered boots that (for a time) adorned the feet of many an A list celebrity. When I first heard this, I remember thinking HALF an HOUR??? Ahhh but you see - that, is the power of my wife : she breathes love, and so she is loved - by all. Anyways, without my knowledge, my wife had COMMISSIONED Ferdinand to create a pendant depicting the Virgin Mary that she thought would be to my liking.

" It wasn't to my "liking, but rather - to my LOVING. I received the pendant two DAYS before the birth of our first child. I clutched that pendant SO HARD in the palm of my hand during the birth that I actually bruised the skin.

I would never have DREAMED to have Ferdinand Weber simply - create - the piece I could not find. The piece that (apparently) does not exist (even today). When my wife finally did tell me what she paid (years later) I about died. Yet, LOOK what her dedication resulted in? If not for her, this STUNNING one of one pendant would not exist.

The pendant (though not even particularly large) weighs in at 13 GRAMS - solid sterling. Which brings me to my next point. How COOL is the pendant's shape? A rectangular cuboid of straight SOLID semi precious metal.. BEAUTIFULLY brushed for a lovely matte tone icy cool hue. Call me a nerd, but MAN how can you not find the design just - otherworldly. The sterling this pendant is made from (because of the way it is brushed) has always reminded me of how raw meteorite looks! The rectangular cuboid is thick - 6 mm thick (0.6 cm) and measures about 3.2 cm tall (1.25 inches). Just a hunk of sterling silver.. THIS is what I was missing at the religious goods store (and is still missing at religious goods outlets today) - originality. I can sit here all day and sing the praises of this piece's composition - but this is one of those pieces that you HAVE to hold in the palm of your hand to truly begin to have an understanding of all that it entails. There is no "bail" or "hanging loop" on this pendant - rather, the chain actually passes THROUGH the top of the pendant itself (where a perfectly squared opening has been masterfully cut through). Yet another awesome aspect of this pendant. There is nothing delicate about this piece whatsoever - it is quite literally one solid - block - of sterling silver! Of course, as stunning as the shape and structure of this pendant is - the true star of the show is in its absolutely breathtaking depiction of Mary Mother of God. At the front of this rectangular cuboid mass of sterling, a HIGH detail, mesmerizingly accurate image of Mary. Now, I've seen many a depiction of the Blessed Mother on rings, pendants, earrings, etc - but NEVER like this.. The way that Mary's image is actually RAISED from. This pendant in 3-Dimensional style???

Every crease in her garment is visible. Each finger of her hand (despite the size) perfectly legible..

Lay the pendant on its side, and look at the way in which the surface of the front is so varied. You can actually see the rises and falls, dips and valleys present in sterling silver. This is the most complex, artistically sound depiction of Mary I've ever seen - and the irony? The man who made it is not even Christian. God can do beautiful things through the people you'd least expect!

Above Mary's head, the letters OCA. The pendant is hallmarked on the left side (and beautifully so).

The hallmark is as follows: FERDINAND, 925. (925 being the mark of Sterling Silver).

This is no cheap "bonus chain, " but rather the chain that originally came with the piece. The chain is thick and heavy. The pendant weighs 13 grams, with the chain - the overall weight is 28 GRAMS!

A thick, heavy solid sterling chain is the PERFECT holder of this pendant. The chain is bright, highly reflective, and pairs beautifully with the matte silver pendant. The chain links measure about 3mm thickness.

The length of the chain comes to about 23.5 inches! The chain is also hallmarked 925 for sterling silver. Some times people like to use the words "one of one" when describing something that is rare - but this is a misnomer - as "rare" is not the only. A custom make by a renowned silversmith that you will NEVER see pop up in the religious goods market.

Maybe you need to feel Mary's nearness right now. Maybe, you just want something to pay tribute - well, rest assured, this pendant is the PERFECT answer.

I always imagined I would take this piece to the grave. Like that Ferrari owner who keeps his prized car cooped up in the garage.

The thing is - that sentiment started to make me feel bad. I wore this pendant for MANY years. I can't do its weight around the neck anymore. After talking with my wife, we decided that it was time to let this piece go. To pass it on down to someone who can give it the time in the light it so deserves.

All I ask is that you love, care, and admire this piece as I have through all of the years. Remember always what this piece depicts. And - never - let it be treated with anything other than the utmost respect! I will get back to you promptly. Weight: 13 GRAMS Thickness: 6mm (0.6 cm).

Length: 3.2 cm (1.25 Inches). Weight (WITH pendant 28 Grams) so about 15 grams on the chain alone. Thickness: Links are about 3mm. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Fine Jewelry\Necklaces & Pendants". The seller is "uniqueluxurygoods" and is located in this country: US.

This item can be shipped to United States.

Pendant Shape: Rectangle
Number of Diamonds: No Stones
Closure: Lobster
Occasion: Christening, Christmas, Confirmation/Communion, Engagement, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Wedding
Main Stone Color: No Stone
Metal: Sterling Silver
Secondary Stone: No Stone
Necklace Length: 23.5 in
Main Stone: No Stone
Main Stone Treatment: No Stone
Main Stone Shape: No Stone
Pendant/Locket Type: Amulet
Style: Chain
Base Metal: Sterling Silver
Gemstone Clarity Grade: No Stone
Number of Gemstones: No Stones
Chain Type: Rolo
Main Stone Creation: No Stone
Signed: Yes
Color: Silver
Cut Grade: No Stone
Material: Sterling Silver
Total Carat Weight: No Stone
Certification: NA
Brand: Ferdinand
Setting Style: No Stone
Diamond Clarity Grade: No Stone
Type: Pendant
Metal Purity: 925
Colored Diamond Intensity: No Stone
Diamond Color Grade: No Stone
Collection: Ferdinand
Theme: Religious
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Country of Origin: United States
Wholesale: No