VTT: Infant of Prague

Happy Vintage Thingies Thursday, hosted by Suzanne @ Colorado Lady! This is a fun day to show off your vintage and antique finds, junk store treasures, and family heirlooms. If you've got something to share, think about joining us next week!

Do you recognize this guy? He's pretty famous in the Roman Catholic world. It's the Infant Jesus of Prague. He's so famous he even has his own Official Website! He has stood on my mother's dresser for as long as I can remember, and she has her plain wedding band hooked over the cross on his royal orb. My sister and I always enjoyed pulling the Maltese cross out of his crown; very disrespectful! My mother got it from her mother, who always kept it on her dresser. Where did it come from originally? My grandfather's gift and card shop in Middletown, CT. He was brought home when one of his fingers broke off and he couldn't be sold!

The original wax, doll-like statue can be traced back to 1628 when Princess Polyxena von Lobkowitz brought the statue, a wedding gift from her mother, to Bohemia. The Princess became very attached to the Discalced Carmelites, and presented them with the statue, saying, "Venerable Fathers, I bring you my dearest possession. Honor this image and you shall never want". When knowledge of the order and their vow of poverty came to the attention of Emperor Ferdinand II, he sent them 2,000 florins and a monthly stipend for their support. When the Carmelite novitiate moved to Munich and left the statue behind, Bohemia was thrown into years of war, and the statue disappeared into a garbage heap, until it was discovered by Father Cyrillus in 1637. One day while praying before the statue,  Father Cyrillus heard a voice say, "Have pity on me, and I will have pity on you. Give me my hands, and I will give you peace. The more you honor me, the more I will bless you." Since then, the statue has remained in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. People from around the world visit the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá Strana to pray before the Infant.

The altar designed around the Infant is so ornate he's almost lost in its intricacies!

Like a doll, the original Infant has many different robes to wear, but is most often seen wearing red. Here he is in green.
Many of these images came from Galen Frysinger's travel photo website. I always find great things there!
I always enjoy learning about the history behind the objects in my family, as well as those shared for Vintage Thingies Thursday, don't you?