RARE Antique Bronze cross of St Ulrich Ulrichkreuz Augsburg Germany18th century

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RARE Antique Bronze cross of St Ulrich Ulrichkreuz Augsburg Germany18th century:
$64.99

Pleasenote that same cross/medal prices vary, based on condition, age and appearance.

This pendant medallion is shaped like a Greek cross. Onone side is a cast picture of the Battle of Lechfeld, 955 AD, above theinscription \'CRUX/S/VDALRICI\' (cross of St. Ulrich), on the other St Benedictbetween Saints Ulrich and Afra, with the Trinity above, and the shield of StBenedict below.

It is 1.5 inches square, and is made of bronze with aweight of 11 grams.

History & Provenance:

After the prolonged and destructive Thirty Years War of1618-48, Europe split into a Catholic south and a Protestant north. As aresult, the number of Baroque churches and places of pilgrimage in the Alpineregion increased. This led to a great demand for religious medals, crosses andsouvenir jewellery, often in a form that was specific to a particular holysite.

The Ulrichkreuz, or cross of St. Ulrich, was associatedwith Augsburg, the site of the great Benedictine abbey of Saints Ulrich andAfra. The original cross, which contained a piece of the True Cross, given toSt. Ulrich in Rome, was shaped like an equilateral Greek cross. The pilgrimsouvenirs always preserved this shape, but the images and inscriptions varied.This cross has the Battle of Lechfeld on one side, showing St. Ulrich ridinginto battle side by side with the Emperor, and receiving the cross of victoryfrom an angel. On the other side is St. Benedict, standing between the twoearlier saints to whom the Benedictine abbey at Augsburg was dedicated. TheShield of St Benedict, below, is a talismanic design of a cross, with lettersalong the arms, and encircling it, which consist of the initial letters ofprayers.

The Ulrich cross was considered particularly effectiveagainst plagues of mice.

Good luck offerding!