Upon entering a church in Latin America, one often sees the dressed statue of a saint curiously festooned with hundreds of tiny silver or golden arms, legs, animals, plants, or praying figures. These votive offerings have been hung on the saint by the faithful as an entreaty for the cure of an injured leg, the safeguarding of a beloved child, or in petition of a special favor.
Commonly called milagros, Spanish for miracles, these prayer objects
came with the Spanish to the Americas. Here, the milagros met with the indigenous
tradition of fetishes and many soon came to have a symbolic or talismanic aspect,
meant to identify the occupation or background of the petitioner.
Our collection of over 200 designs cast in sterling silver from Latin American originals make special presents for family and friends. They include such favorites as a pregnant torso to wish someone a safe pregnancy, a tongue to ward off gossip, and a heart for the lovelorn.
We also carry, when available, large-scale antique Italian milagros. Known as ex-votos in Europe, these pieces include the ever-popular heart and are made of silver and silver plate. Look for these pieces under the antique milagros tab.
