{"product_id":"mother-of-pearl-nativity-star-of-bethlehem","title":"Mother-of-Pearl Nativity Star of Bethlehem","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis artifact is a handcrafted \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStar of Bethlehem\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e commemorative plaque, intricately inlaid with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMother-of-Pearl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (nacre) and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbalone shell\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. At its center is a carved relief of the Nativity scene, featuring Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus under the Star of the East.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe star features twelve points, a common design in Palestinian olive wood and shell artistry, symbolizing the twelve apostles or the twelve tribes of Israel. The Latin inscriptions surrounding the center translate as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGloria in excelsis deo:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \"Glory to God in the highest.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus Natus est:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \"Here Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary.\" (This specific phrasing is a reference to the silver star marking the exact spot of the Nativity in the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExplanation of Accuracy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe identification of this item is based on the specific craftsmanship and linguistic markers found in the image:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMateriality:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The iridescent quality is characteristic of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBethlehem Mother-of-Pearl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e industry, a traditional craft introduced to the region by Franciscan friars in the 14th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLinguistic Context:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The Latin phrase \"Hic de Virgine Maria...\" is the official inscription found on the 14-pointed silver star located in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrotto of the Nativity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The use of this specific text confirms the item is a devotional souvenir intended to replicate the experience of visiting that holy site.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIconography:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The combination of the multi-pointed star shape and the central Nativity relief is a standard motif for high-quality pilgrimage art from the Holy Land.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Holy Land Blessing Boutique ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52458614554805,"sku":null,"price":299.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1005\/1312\/0437\/files\/IMG-0019.png?v=1777029647","url":"https:\/\/holy-land-blessing-boutique.myshopify.com\/products\/mother-of-pearl-nativity-star-of-bethlehem","provider":"Holy Land Blessing Boutique ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}