The Hammer for Opening the Holy Door at st. Peter’s

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 14, 22 April 1925, Page 30

The Hammer for Opening the Holy Door at st. Peter’s

The hammer used by the Sovereign Pontiff Pius XI in opening itho Holy Doer at St. Peter’s. It is made of ivory and solid gold, beautifully chased and set with rubies, lapis lazuli, emeralds, and other precious stones. The work is carried out in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The hammer is 34 centimetres long and 22 centimetres across

cions stones. On the cover is a large cross v ;-:; surrounded with rays, and in its middle Him> ooat-of-arms of Pius XL The hinges, the : ,-w clasp, and the coat-of-arms are in chased f silver. The instruments and their case werfe. designed by Professor Biagetti, Director or the Vatican Picture Galleries, and the work was executed by Pio Cellini, Federico Antonucci and Federico Pinci, renowned artisans of Rome.

tho head. * On top is the coat-of-arms of Pins XI, and on the end of the handle is the seal of the: Central Committee of the Holy Year. Across the head are inscribed the words: Aperite mihi portas justitiae; and on the handle: Fax Ghristi in regno Christi in regno Ghristi. Anno Juhil. MG MX XV. The hammer and trowel are enclosed in a magnificent casket of leather, beautifully gilt and ornamented with chased silver and pre-