Posted 12 years ago
Crystalrose
(14 items)
I hope someone can help be identify this necklace. There are some hallmarks on the individual pieces. The necklace is silver in color but not sure if its sterling or silverplate. The center section has "MAR" and "IHS", there are 2 little religious statutes hanging also. Someone had told me that the pieces look like old religious book closures? The necklace measures 15-1/2 inches long. If anyone knows anything about this necklace please let me know. thanks.
It is a relgious piece. The word Mar and the IHS are relgious symbols from Latin words
The Comprehensive Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.)
IHS is a popular Latinized monogram acronym from the Roman 3rd Century based on the GREEK letters Iota (i), the first letter of I?sous (??????), Greek for "Jesus"; Theta (th), the first letter of Theos (??ó?), Greek for "God"; and Sigma (s), the first letter of s?t?r (?????), Greek for "Savior".
I can not see the hallmarks of who made it . But it does look older . Hope this helps a bit :-)
Here is rest
The monogram is a shortening of the 1st century acronym Ichthys, Greek ????? which compiles to "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior" used commonly by early Christians and often simplified to the image of a fish (the literal meaning of the greek word 'ichthys').
The IHS monogram became more popular in the 12th century when St. Bernard insisted much on devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, and 14th century Blessed John Colombini, founder of the Jesuati, often wore it on his breast.
IHS became a symbol not unlike the Chi-Rho first popularized in the 4th century. It was iconographic for St. Vincent Ferrer (d. 1419); and St. Bernardine of Sienna (d. 1444) truly spread its use by brandishing it as a shield at sermons and having it inscribed on plaques and walls as a symbol of peace and piety. St. Ignatius of Loyola adopted the monogram as the emblem of the Jesuit Order (1541), incorporating a cross above the "H" and three nails below, surrounded by the sun.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_IHS_on_a_Christian_cross_mean#ixzz1dvsL5opf
Here is one for sale just like yours
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-INTERESTING-OLD-IHS-RELIGIOUS-NECKLACE-VERY-RARE-/170670083972
Thank you so much for all the information, greatly appreciated.
Your welcome :-)