Antique, devotional Meerschaum Relief of the Calvary in original wooden oval frame with curved glass.

Antique, devotional Meerschaum Relief of the Calvary in original wooden oval frame with curved glass

France, North Paris between 1850-1890

Size : 15 x 12,5 cm

Jesus' Crucifixion

According to Christian tradition, Jesus was led toward the hill, called Golgotha in Hebrew and Calvary in Latin, and crucified at the base of the hill in an effort to publicly shame him and discourage the Jewish people from following him.

In the Bible, the crucifixion of Jesus is portrayed as the culminating proof of his loyalty to God, and it is on Calvary where he undergoes a spiritual death and then is resurrected three days later. Therefore, Calvary has come to symbolize great spiritual redemption, hope and triumph over death.

Calvary is an important site in the Christian world. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, it is “the scene of our Lord’s greatest sacrifice and of his glorious triumph.” Such sentiments can be seen in the Christian hymns and scriptures which talk about “dying on Calvary” or about “bearing the cross up Calvary.”

Calvary is mentioned several times in the Bible, with the Gospel of Luke saying that Jesus was “led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth”. Also, during Jesus’ final hours of life on earth, he said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. The phrase, first uttered on Calvary, has become a source of solace for believers for centuries.