Mother of Pearl Crucifix
Crafted by local artisans in Bethlehem. This crucifix is made from mother of pearl with green and white-based hues, and an olive wood base. The four inlaid pieces of the cross contain various articles from the Holy Land:
- Incense
- Stones
- Leaves
- Soil
The Crucifix measures approximately 5 inches tall by 3 inches wide.
About Mother of Pearl
A brief history on Mother of Pearl from our contacts in Bethlehem:
Mother-of-Pearl was introduced in the area by Franciscan monks who came to the area in the 14th century. Most of the MOP is imported from China, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. This is a family tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. There used to be many MOP workshops in the area - now there are only five. It is a dying tradition because of the high cost of the raw materials that we are trying to save. Not only are we trying to save the tradition but save the many families who work in these workshops.
