The Immaculate Conception.

                                                        "The Immaculate Conception."

Sculptor:- unknown.

Material:- Quartz crystal.

Size:- 58Cm high x 31cm wide x 20 cm deep.

Wooden Base:- Bottom, 34cm x 20.5cm.

                Top:- 29.5cm x 19cm x 8cm deep.

Circa:- 1900 to 1910.

 This “Immaculate Conception” sculpture is unique in that it is made from beautiful white Quartz Crystal from the Benguet area. It was obtained by a collector in the late 1960's and has been in that collection until now.

The sculpture was purchased directly from the folk sculptors family members, unfortunately all records of who the sculptor was have vanished with time.

This sculpture was purchased with the head broken and reattached to the sculpture, it is not known but suspected that the damage occurred during the sculptural process as Quartz Crystal, it is a very hard and brittle crystal and difficult medium to work in.

This very beautiful and unique work is carved out of one piece of Quartz Crystal.  

Pure quartz, traditionally called rock crystal or clear quartz, is colorless and transparent or translucent, and has often been used for hard stone carving.

This is a masterly sculpted work, the detail of the face, hands and clothing are very well carved. There is a soft resonance within this work.

I do find this piece quite alluring and there is an inner quality, a quiet serene presence about this sculpture that is difficult to explain and yet you can sense it when you come into its presence. One viewer wanted to touch the sculpture as she felt a desire within herself to rub her hands on the base as she felt she was being drawn into its healing presence.

This “ Immaculate Conception” Sculpture is an experience to behold, this is no ordinary sculpture.

This exceptional piece is very unique and in all our research we have not at this point in time found another Immaculate Conception carved in such a large Quartz crystal.

Historical text speaks about the nature of light and Quartz crystal, “Light (the Son) striking the crystal (Mary) has long been the symbol of the Immaculate Conception.” 

The Immaculate Conception, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church was the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne free from original sin by virtue of the foreseen merits of her son Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary was conceived by normal biological means, but God acted upon her soul (keeping her "immaculate") at the time of her conception.
The Immaculate Conception is commonly and mistakenly taken to mean the conception of Mary's son Jesus Christ in her own womb, and the virgin birth of Jesus. These are covered by the doctrine of the Incarnation, while the Immaculate Conception deals with the conception of Mary herself, not that of her son.

 Power and Healing qualities of Natural Quartz Crystal
The clear quartz crystal is one of the most sacred stones of ancient cultures. Its clarity and transparency give it a mirror quality through which things can be seen clearly. The natural quartz crystal symbolizes white light energy.
The power of the crystal can be found in its structure - growing and reaching up toward light from the deepest parts of earth. It is a conductor of energy - both as a receiver and a transmitter. It is important to keep your crystal clean in order to protect it from outside negative vibrations. Your personal crystals will attune themselves to your vibrations, as you will attune to the natural vibrations of the crystal. Choose crystals that seem to speak to you or that you feel attracted to for best results.

Clear quartz crystals have been used for centuries in healing. 

Crystals have been used for healing the body, transforming the spirit, inspiring intuitive insight, guarding against negative vibrations, and smoothing the energy flows of spirit and body. 

This beautiful Quartz crystal sculpture of “The Immaculate Conception,”

Written by,

Mark Shellshear.

Art Consultant