8/31/14 Report - More On The 1715 Fleet Reliquary Pendant Found By The Booty. More On The Cob Tests. Brevard Beaches Improving.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Photos of Reliquaries 

Submitted by L. Strolia

The most read post of July was the 7/31/14 post.  I've been going back to see which posts were the most popular, or to be more exact, the most read posts.

It is not surprising that the 7/31/14 post was the most read post of July.  That is the post that reported on the amazing find made by the crew of the Booty on the Treasure Coast.

I incorrectly referred to that find as a gold pyx.  Laura Strolia, author and researcher has since told us why it is a reliquary pendant rather than a pyx.  I posted on report by author Strolia a few weeks ago, but she was kind enough to provide additional explanation, which you'll find immediately below.

More on the 1715 Fleet Triptych Reliquary Pendant

Here are some more thoughts regarding the TRIPTYCH RELIQUARY PENDANT of the 1715 fleet.

First off, I would like to better explain why this artifact is not a pyx.  A small container called a pyx was used by a priest to transport the consecrated Sacred Host to a sick or dying person.  It was crucial that nothing could penetrate into the body of this vessel and allow absorption.  The material used for a pyx would never have small or narrow spaces, such as we see in filigree work, because there would be a danger the Host would become corrupted.

Upon leaving a church, the priest placed the pyx in a purse or pouch, called a burse, which was hung around his neck by a cord. Even the burse, usually made of leather, cotton, or wool, was not enough to protect a receptacle of filigree metal since all these materials were permeable to water and air.

Another point to consider is the size of the circular opening that would encase a consecrated Host if it was a pyx.  The circle on the 1715 artifact reflects an opening that is too small based on diameters of the average vessel or ciborium of that time period. Additionally a pyx always had a closed lid, and the interior of it was made of precious metal which consisted of solid elements. This was necessary in preserving the sacredness of the Eucharist.  After the sick received Holy Communion, the pyx was then purified by the priest.

Why do Catholics exert such effort to protect and keep a Blessed Host safe?  One of my favorite stories about a Eucharistic miracle (http://fatherfladerblog.com/2013/06/07/pope-francis-and-a-eucharistic-miracle/) can hopefully answer this question. Catholics believe Jesus is alive and has a real presence in a Sacred Host.

The Reliquary Pendant found at Douglass Beach is also called a triptych, a term meaning that a work of art is made up of three hinged panels that can be opened for display, or folded shut when desired.  The circular opening on the 1715 reliquary would have held a holy remain behind a piece of rock crystal.  A fabric-covered paste board would have been stitched to the back of it.

It is intriguing to wonder about the final destination of this 1715 reliquary if the hurricane never happened.  Perhaps it was meant to hang in a private chapel of a wealthy household, or near the bedside of a clergy member?  We will never know the answer. But in this modern day of age, we are so fortunate to be able to view an artifact, such as this one, that holds such beauty and significance. – Laura Strolia

The reliquaries shown above are housed at St. Anthony’s Chapel in Pittsburgh (http://www.saintanthonyschapel.org/)

Thanks Laura!

You can see how the reliquaries shown above are similar to the item found by the crew of the Booty.


I've received a few thoughts from readers concerning the reason for some smaller cobs producing better signals than some larger cobs.  One thought is that it is due to the composition of the metal and another is that it is due to the shape of the object, with more round objects being thought to produce better signals.  I look into that subject more in the future.


The past two days I posted information about tests that I did on some cobs using the Ace 250 and Excalibur detectors.  I used the same cobs for the same tests using the Dual Surf PI, which, as you may know is reputed to be a very deep seeking detector.  I might give more detail on that some other time, but here I'll just say that the PI had difficulties simply detecting the cobs under the circumstances.  The ambient interference made the PI very erratic, and it barely could detect any of the cobs.  It did, but not very well.  I varied the gain, loudness, and delay and still could not do nearly as well with the PI as with the other two detectors.  I am sure the PI would do better on the beach.

That again shows how one detector can be best in one situation while another would be best in another situation.  It also shows why you need to know your detector.


Concerning local beach conditions Dan W. wrote and said that the Brevard beaches have been producing older coins for the first time since the beaches were renourished.

I think they got a little bigger surf up that way, but it could be more a matter of angles.

Thanks for the report Dan!

Today and tomorrow the Treasure Coast will have a one to two foot surf.  There are no storms or anything right now.

That is all for today.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

8/14/14 Report - Treasure Coast Gold Artifact Find Identified As Reliquary Pendant. Google Higher Resolution Satellite Imagery Coming Soon. Massive Tomb Found.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.BlogSpot.com.



2014 Treasure Coast Find (on left) From the Salvage Vessel Booty



New information just in about the Booty's Treasure Coast gold relic find.

I received a photo of this find back a few weeks ago and showed it in my 7/31/14 post.   After doing a little research I said I thought the object might be a pyx.  Yesterday I received an email about the item from author and researcher Laura Strolia.   It seems I was wrong about the identity of the item.  

Here is what our friend Laura Strolia said.

In regards to the recent find ... I believe it is a RELIQUARY PENDANT.  The central oculus would have held an object that belonged to a saint, such as a piece of hair, or a painted image of a holy person.  Crystal would have been added for protection, as well as a chain.

This piece of devotional jewelry exhibits a cross above a sunburst.  The sunburst was intentionally created to take on features of a monstrance, an object used to display the consecrated Eucharistic Host for adoration.  During the Colonial Era, the monstrance design was quite common for displaying relics, with some relicarios being several feet high and others being only a few inches long.  For instance, a beautiful hanging pendant from the late 1600s, belonging to the Hispanic Society of America Collection, shows an intriguing sunburst with a topped cross.  While it does not contain a relic, the subject matter of reverence is an example of its popularity for the time period.

Reliquary pendants suspended on a chain would have been worn with upmost care and love because of their precious contents.  Catholics venerated saints and owned relics to be intimately connected to a favorite saint through prayer.  The remains were a reminder of their existing spiritual relationship.

The size of the pendant recently salvaged seems to be of a quite large dimension compared to the smaller lightweight personal pieces that were worn around the neck or waist.  Wearing a pendant of this size, along with its bulkiness, would put the holy object within at significant risk for physical damage.  Therefore, one would assert it was not designed as a wearable piece of jewelry, but to display elsewhere.  The devout often kept religious items in view, hanging from chains in their private quarters for adoration.  Often these exquisite pendants were given as votive offerings and church treasuries owned many donated ones.  On a holy person’s feast day, it was common for reliquaries to be carried and suspended for public view.  They would then be exhibited in the church during hours of prayer.

It had been mentioned that the found artifact might have been a pyx and would have carried the consecrated Host to the sick or dying.  Catholics believe that the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  The container used for such an important mission needed to be completely closed on all sides, front, and back. It was crucial no elements came into contact with the consecrated Host through any cracks or opened wire, and that was why small round boxes with secured latches were usually used for the job.  A pyx would have been put in a burse (pouch) that hung around a priest’s neck while traveling.  When looking at the artifact, there seems to be a circle on its top that most pendants have for chains.  This piece of hardware would not be needed on a pyx because it was the burse that included the long fabric or leather pieces for hanging.  When taken out of a church, a pyx would never be hung by itself without being in a burse, and especially with having airy filigree metalwork.  If any Hosts had not been used, the pyx immediately went back to the Church where the Blessed Sacrament was returned to a closed tabernacle.  Now, three hundred years later, the Church still acts with laws regarding the importance of the Sacrament, as I recently attended a meeting by our Bishop in protecting the sanctity and dignity of Holy Communion distribution.  After all, the Blessed Host IS the very life of God, a sacrament which Christ taught is necessary for eternal life. -- Laura Strolia

Thanks much Laura.  

You might have read Laura's book The Marigalera of the 1715 Fleet.  I've read it and mentioned it in this blog.

 Google Maps provides a satellite and street views.  Most of you probably know that.  Maybe you have used google to research remote sites.   Well Google now has a contract with a satellite company to obtain imagery from space that will detect objects as small as ten inches.   That is a good tool for higher definition remote research.

Here is the link.

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/googles-satellites-could-soon-see-your-face-from-space



A massive tomb from the era of Alexander the Great was uncovered in Greece.  Nearly 500 meters in circumference, it is one of the largest ever uncovered in Greece.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2401057/Have-archaeologists-discovered-grave-Alexander-Great-Experts-enormous-marble-tomb-fit-king-Greece.html

Just goes to show how many things remain undiscovered if this huge tomb could remain hidden for so long.


On the Treasure Coast the tides are still bigger than normal and the surf is predicted to be 1 foot or so for at least several days.

No new tropical activity in the Atlantic either.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@Comcast.net

7/31/14 Report - Booty Makes Big Discovery On Treasure Coast Wreck Site. Gold Pyx. Low Pressure Area Moves Closer.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.BlogSpot.com.

Shown below are two parts of the same item found 25 years apart.  The front part (on the right) was found 25 years ago, while the back (left) was recently found by the crew of the Booty.



Treasure Coast Finds.
Photo source: Video from Orlando Sentinel link below.

A truly great discovery was made this summer by a Treasure Coast salvage crew.  In fact a lot of discoveries were made, but the one I want to focus on today isn't a gold coin or even a bunch of gold coins, but something more important.

25 years ago a very intricate gold hinged frame was found, or at least that is what they thought it was.  This year, last month in fact, another very intricate piece of gold was found by the Schmitt family who operates the salvage vessel Booty.  It appears that the new find is the back of the item that was found 25 years ago.

The item appeared to be a frame before, exciting enough by itself, but having the additional part, they now believe the item is not just a frame, but it could be a pyx.  A pyx is a small, flat, clamshell type of container made of brass or other metals but lined with gold used in Catholic services. 

In the Catholic church a pyx would be used to hold the Eucharistic Host.  It would sometimes by carried in a fabric or leather pouch with cords and worn by a priest, deacon or minister of Holy Communion along with a monstrance.  When not carried, it would be kept in the church tabernacle.

This pyx would have definitely been owned by someone important.  It reminds me of the Pelican of Piety, which was also found on the Treasure Coast, and which I believe could be associated with the pyx.  Certainly both are very impressive gold religious artifacts.

I've posted about the Pelican of Piety in this blog back in 2012, and Laura Strolia, researcher and author, sent me a couple of excellent articles on the Pelican which I posted. 

You might want to go back and look at my 11/4/12 post, for example.

You can always use the search box on the main page of this blog to look for particular items or topics.  Enter either "Laura Strolia" or "Pelican of Piety" as search terms.  That should get you there. 

Here are two links about the recent find of the back of the pyx.   Cool video showing the discovery.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-sanford-family-finds-sunken-treasure-20140729,0,1244901.story

http://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/fort-pierce/fort-pierce-booty-salvage-discovers-centuries-old-spanish-treasure-off-coast


Congratulations Booty!!

The low pressure area that I've been following for a few days is moving closer to the Lesser Antilles and now has a 60% chance of becoming a cyclone according to NOAA.

Source: www.nhc.noaa.gov
 

On the Treasure Coast we still have a one-foot surf, which by this weekend will get just a little bigger.


The most read post of this blog for June 2014 is the 6/29/14 Report -  National Archives For Research, Detecting Military Shells With a 2-Box Detector,  Getting To More Remote Beaches, & US Religious Shrine

I'm going to highlight the most read post of the month at the end of the following month.  If I did the current month it would usually be one of the early posts of the month since readers continue to read the older posts for a while after they are posted.  This way there is enough time for even the most recent posts of the month to be read.  At the end of August I'll see what the most read post of July was.

As I pointed out, you can always go back and read old posts.  Using the search box is a convenient way to find particular topics.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@Comcast.net