Immaculate Heart of Mary with Pearls Nicho Altar Ornament

I hand-cut, hammered, and shaped the  frame and its accordion-folded corona from reclaimed post-consumer tinplate to encase this tiny print reproduction of an antique French holy card featuring the Immaculate Heart of Mary. After filing and sanding sharp corners and edges, I embellished it from my stash of vintage, antique, and/or reclaimed fabrics, metals, beads, and trims, including resin rhinestones and pearls, reclaimed vintage brass rosary chain, silk ribbon, a heart pendant, pearlized glass beads, and satin roses. 

This handmade ornament is intended to evoke the Blessed Mother's elegance and grace but without removing all the rough edges and scuff marks that are part of this icon's history and that characterize the fabric of her devotees' genuine lived lives.

Tinplate body is about 4" high by 1.25" wide. Measuring from the top of the corona to the pearl bead and chain at the bottom, the body of the piece is 5.5" long. The vintage brass rosary chain from which it hangs adds a few inches for a grand total of 7.25" hanging. 

While this and all my tinplate work is filed/sanded carefully to remove sharp protrusions and corners, you should still keep in mind what it's made of and thus keep it away from children or pets.

Folks use these as altar or household art, Christmas tree ornaments, gifts, and sometimes even jewelry. I love to do custom work, so message me if you have an idea for a variation you'd like to see.

As with all my spiritual art and jewelry, I'm happy to include your petitions/intentions associated with it in my prayers and bless the piece for you as I'm preparing it to ship to its new home. Just use the customization info form to give you any info you want me to have after you check out.