AAG27 Chalice of the Last Judgement
This truly magnificent craftsmen made pewter chalice weighs a full 2 ½lb (110g) and stands an imposing 9 ½" (246mm) high. Its implicit theme is in commemoration of the Archangel Michael's victory over Satan on the Day of Judgement in the Biblical 'War in Heaven', while its form was inspired by an original C19th design by the inimitable A. N. Pugin.
The elegantly shaped bowl has been spun then mechanically engraved while the stem, its large and intricate knop and uniquely proportioned base are formed from eight separate, ambitious castings that are then skilfully hand assembled and soldered to become one commanding piece. Each chalice is then separately patinated and expertly hand polished before finally being set with 24 complementary Swarowski crystals.
Chaostar: Also known as the Chaos Wheel or the Symbol of Eight; each of the eight arrowheads is representative of infinite energy and possibility, with the uppermost point specifically illustrating the fixed path of Law. First created by science fiction author Michael Moorcock, it is now widely used as an emblem of Chaos Magic.
Chi-rho: (Greek); An acronym, also a monogram of chi (K) and rho (R) as the first two letters of Khristos (Christ), widely used in Christian symbolism and iconography in ancient times.
Churriguera: An influential family of Spanish architects and sculptors from early 17th and late 18th century Madrid and Salamanca, noted for their uniquely elaborate and flamboyant style of Baroque sculpture and architecture. Their most notable work includes the exuberant design of the Colegio de Calatrava and the Plaza Mayor, both located in Salamanca. This distinctive style became known as Churrigueresque.
Claddagh: Originating in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh, near Galway, the giving of the Claddagh ring is a long-held custom first brought about in the 17th century. Usually featuring two hands (denoting friendship) clasping a heart (love) and surmounted by a crown (loyalty), it is traditionally gifted as a token of love or a wedding ring, and brought about the phrase:
"With my two hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my loyalty."
Wearing the ring in different positions can give away the wearer’s romantic availability; for instance, worn on the right hand with heart facing outward implies that the wearer is searching for love. Turned inwards on the same hand, it means the wearer’s heart has already been ensnared by another. On the left hand and pointing outwards denotes engagement, while inwards indicates marriage.
Coeur Noir: (French); ‘Black Heart’
Coeur Sauvage: (French); ‘Savage Heart’.
B54 Count Cagliostro's Cross
Count Alessandro Cagliostro is considered to be one of the greatest figures in the occult world, being well practiced in alchemy, scrying, psychic healing and other forms of magic, as well as being a devout Catholic.
He was born to a poor family as Giuseppe Balsamo in Palermo, Sicily in 1743. During a troubled childhood, Cagliostro was sent to a Benedictine monastery where it was discovered that he had a great talent for medicine and chemistry. He eventually ran away and fell into bad company, during which time he convinced many people, including many practicing alchemists, that he was able to transmute metals and create gold.
Cagliostro took to travelling the world, visiting Egypt, Greece, Persia, Rhodes, India and Ethiopia and studying any occult and alchemical knowledge that he could find there. At the age of 23 he left for Malta where he was initiated into the Order of the Knights of Malta. While there, he studied alchemy, the Kabbalah and other profound occult secrets.
In 1768 he returned to Italy where the newly self styled Count was accused of fraud and other crimes, but later married the beautiful Lorenza Feliciani, known as Serafina. Then, around 1769 he and Serafina went to London where he joined the Freemasons and became involved with the Comte de Saint-Germain and the creation of an 'elixir of immortal life'. His expertise and his reputation continued to spread rapidly throughout the world and he moved to Paris, quickly to became a favourite of King Louis XVI and the French court at Versailles.
Cagliostro went to Rome with his wife in late 1789, again taking up the practice of medicine and séances, but in 1791 the Inquisition arrested him for establishing a Masonic Lodge there. He was imprisoned in the Castle of Saint Angelo in Rome and tried, accused of heresy, magic, conjuring, and Freemasonry. There, Cagliostro was sentenced to death by the Inquisition but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in the Castle of Saint Angelo by Pope Pius VI.
He lived 52 years ostensibly, dying in prison on August 26, 1795, however, rumours persisted after his 'death' that he had miraculously escaped and remained alive and a confirmed Rosicrucian
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