An Italian gilt-bronze-mounted micromosaic and ivory large Crucifix, the micromosaics from the Vatican workshop, Rome circa 1870

with Jesus on the Cross surmounted on each end with roundels depicting the Churches of Rome on a foliate cast ground, the stem with various symbols depicting the sacrament, the octagonal plinth base surmounted by three winged cherubs suspending swags of fruit, the base with three rectangular panels depicting  further churches, the Vatican and the Coloseum, on a circular base cast with seraphim and a band of vine leaves and grapes

Purchased from 'Bon Secums Roman Catholic Convent' 166 Westbourne Grove, London. The Convent closed in Summer 2006. This item was given to the convent by a parishioner in the 1870's.

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Bon Secours came to England at invitation of Cardinal Manning 1870, stayed temporarily in Kentish Town (St. Pancras), and occupied a house in Norfolk Terrace (later no.166 Westbourne Grove), London by 1875. The Order originally cared for sick at home but later acquired own nursing homes; their doctor was writer A. J. Cronin, who lived nearby.