MODEL OF THE CHURCH OF HOLY SEPULCHRE IN JERUSALEM Mahogany, mother of pearl, ivory and bone - 23,5 x 33,5 x 39,5 cm Syrian, 17th Century Built in the 4th Century at the site of both the crucifixion and the tomb
of Jesus, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has always been
a major Christian pilgrimage destination.
In the 17th Century, elaborate models were locally made under Franciscan supervision as souvenirs and mementoes for pilgrims, and as gifts to rulers from the Franciscans. It can be taken apart so that architectural details may be appreciated and individual areas of religious significance within the building may be identified. According to M. Piccirillo, only about 30 models of the Holy Sepulchre are known (M. Piccirillo, La Nuova Gerusalemme Artigianato palestinese al servizio dei Luoghi Santi, Ed. Velar, Italy, 2007).
They can be found in the collections of the British Museum, London,
the Burghley House, Stamford, the Museum of the Order of St John and University of Birmingham, London, the MUCEM, Marseille, a.o.
The model with inventory number LDOSJ_3033 from the Museum of
the Order of St John bears the closest resemblance to the piece presented here.