Vintage Olive Wood Jerusalem Cross Box with Crucifix Pendant
Ecce Homo Orphanage (Jerusalem) · Collectibles & Antiques > Religious Items
Era / Decade
Mid-1950s to Mid-1960s. The paper insert mentions Jerusalem, Jordan; Israel took control of East Jerusalem in 1967, dating this to the Jordanian administration period.
Material
Hand-carved Olive wood, metal crucifix pendant (likely silver-plated or pewter with wood inlays), and aged paper provenance document.
Condition
Very Good. The wood shows a rich natural patina with some surface marks and a small crack consistent with aged olive wood. The crucifix is intact with minor oxidation. The document is fragile with tears and yellowing.
Demand Level
Niche/Strong. High demand among specialized collectors of Holy Land memorabilia and Catholic religious artifacts.
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
$45.00 - $125.00. The value is significantly bolstered by the rare orphanage-specific provenance paper.
Estimated Retail Value
$65.00 - $85.00 (comparable handcrafted artisan religious items)
Comparable Sales
Standard vintage olive wood boxes usually sell for $20-$35, but those with specific historical provenance or identified institution papers have sold for $75-$150 on eBay to ecclesiastical collectors.
Description
A rare vintage religious souvenir set from the Ecce Homo Orphanage in Jerusalem. Includes a hand-carved olive wood box featuring a sunken Jerusalem Cross and black-letter 'Jerusalem' script, a mixed metal and wood crucifix pendant, and the original mailing/packaging paper identifying the P.O.B. 56 Jerusalem, Jordan location. The box features beautiful characteristic olive wood grain and a scalloped metal clasp.
Key Features
Includes original orphanage documentation which adds historical value and provenance; hand-carved olive wood construction; pre-1967 'Jordan' geopolitical markings which are highly collectible.
Authenticity Indicators
Direct provenance via the Ecce Homo Orphanage slip; high-quality dense graining typical of genuine Holy Land olive wood; aged metal hardware. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
Aged paper has significant edge wear and tears; slight natural splitting in the olive wood grain on the bottom right of the box; minor tarnish on metal hardware.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform to reach global religious collectors; Etsy is a strong alternative for vintage handcrafted spiritual items.
Selling Tips
Highlight the 'Jerusalem, Jordan' text in the title as a dating marker. Use keywords like 'Catholic', 'Holy Land', 'Pilgrimage souvenir', and 'Providence'. Photograph the paper insert clearly as it is the primary value driver for this specific example.