Spiritual symbols and religious icons

   A tableau of religious icons beneath the apartment's foyer wall of crosses, milagros and prayer ornaments. The pewter tulip tray at right is by Serge Nekrassoff (1895-1985), the Russian-American metalsmith. It serves as a catch-all for mail. A 19th-century French church altarpiece, stitched in gold threads is beneath the trays.

   The tray at left with angels at either end is Mexican silver, found in Sevilla, Spain. The tray contains various glass and hammered-silver candleholders, as well as tin milagros from Santa Fe; a 19th-century French silver and gold religious icon; a 19th-century cobalt glass and silver Spanish communion chalice, found in Sevilla and a Spanish crucifix icon of tin and brass, the latter found at the secret brocante in Passy, Paris. The tray also holds an antique French ivory-and-silver rosary and a modern aqua-beaded and silver Spanish rosary from a convent in Sevilla.

   The tray at left with angels at either end is Mexican silver, found in Sevilla, Spain. The tray contains various glass and hammered-silver candleholders, as well as tin milagros from Santa Fe; a 19th-century French silver and gold religious icon; a 19th-century cobalt glass and silver Spanish communion chalice, found in Sevilla and a Spanish crucifix icon of tin and brass, the latter found at the secret brocante in Passy, Paris. The tray also holds an antique French ivory-and-silver rosary and a modern aqua-beaded and silver Spanish rosary from a convent in Sevilla.

   No, I am not Catholic! As a child, I went to a Baptist church; when I was nine, my mother took us to a Presbyterian church, of which I am still a member. But I am drawn to religious icons and symbols from world religions. One of the things I like about Santa Fe (which of course means Holy Faith) is the little prayer niches or shrines in so many beautiful old adobe houses. Some of these homes even have their own chapels. Two of my favourite books about collecting religious icons are Mary Emmerling's Art of the Cross and Laura Cerwinske's In a Spiritual Style.

   No, I am not Catholic! As a child, I went to a Baptist church; when I was nine, my mother took us to a Presbyterian church, of which I am still a member. But I am drawn to religious icons and symbols from world religions. One of the things I like about Santa Fe (which of course means Holy Faith) is the little prayer niches or shrines in so many beautiful old adobe houses. Some of these homes even have their own chapels. Two of my favourite books about collecting religious icons are Mary Emmerling's Art of the Cross and Laura Cerwinske's In a Spiritual Style.

   Hey Tara! Your post is wonderful. I too am drawn to the beauty and mystique of religious icons, from all faiths, but it's the religious art of the Old Masters that excites me most. Did you know our Gemma collects crosses?

   But, truthfully, do you think "they" care? Geesh. Anyhoo, as you well know, I too collect religious icons. I wasn't brought up in any religion by my parents other than knowing God was in your heart. I did, however, attend a Baptist church with my friends at times. When I met my hub to be, I became a Catholic. I heard Deepak Chopra once say to a child confused with organized religion to tell people his religion is love. I have clung to that image ever since. So I will say, my religion is love. It doesn't get much better than that.

   I find many of these objects not only beautiful but soothing to have about the house. Put on some relaxing music, light a few candles, a small glass of wine and take of your shoes. One doesn't have to be Catholic to appreciate Catholic objects. I also love Russian icons and I am most certainly not Russian!

   These are absolutely beautiful. It's funny you say what you did, because I feel the same attraction and I am not Catholic, either. Raised Congregational and now consider myself more of "new thought" or mishmash of believing lots of different things that are powerful and uplifting from several faiths. But I connect to these icons in a powerfully spiritual way as well, for reasons I cannot understand, apart from the fact that they are simply beautiful.

   I am drawn to these Catholic religious icons as well!! You have a beautiful collection from around the world...

   Tara, I sometimes think you and I are spiritual sisters. I was raised Presbyterian by a Baptist mother, and I have a deep love for all religious icons, too. Now that I'm moving I'm trying to figure out where my collection would best be displayed. Needless to say I've been loving your photos.