Gold Hawg: 1715 Fleet Find

[ScubaDude]

Hey, if you can't trust Walt's masonic tattoos, who can you trust?

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

nice tatoo

 

[Chagy]

In deed the “Pelican in piety” which means in Spanish “Piadoso pelicano” It’s a pelican feeding its pigeons (babies) with its own blood and it represents the blood of Christ and the sacrifice he did for us. But in this case when used as a pyx to hold consecrated bread or Eucharist its name changes and so does its meaning. It’s called “Eucharistic Pelican” in Spanish “Pelicano Eucaristico or “Sagrario Pelicano” and it represents the “Body of Christ” like in the last supper when Christ said; “drink from the wine that is my blood and eat from the bread that is my body”

See the attached pic’s the piece in gold is called “Sagrario Pelicano” and the silver piece is called “Pelicano Eucaristico” or “Porta Vita” or "Porta Viatico" its from 1745 and the chains were used to hang it around the priest’s neck…..

Bonnie this is truly an amazing find. Congratulation to you and your crew!!!

All the best,

Chagy.....

 

[ScubaDude]

I didn't mean to disparage Walt's source. It is mostly authored by Albert Mackey a 33rd degree Freemason over a hundred years ago, with modern commentary from a 32nd.

A lot of the symbolism, ritual, and language ingrained around us is much older than most would ever guess. Its quite fascinating what you sometimes find when you trace things back through the ages.


Bonnie, congrats to you and your crew! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your finds.

 

[Red_desert]

I'm anxious to see what else is in the spot of Bonnie's find...seems like, you'd think there must be some more ornate gold artifacts.

Hope more comes up soon, good going crew!

Garnets from Sicily were used on some Spanish church treasure. Very large nice gems.

 

[49r Relics]

IMO, ranks up there with the gold and emerald belt Fisher found on the Atocha.

Absolutely! Congratulations

Thanks for sharing, please keep us informed on any additional info or artifacts.

HH, Mark

 

[captbonnie]

- had four more days in area - found some wreck material
and then this 1650 maravedi

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love all your research and with this weather now have some time to read and reread all the great posts

lousy vis last days out and so was in general area but moved off "bird spot" a bit want to be able to see just in case
a giant ruby pops up! couldn't even see what the maravedi was until I got aboard

 

[N.J.THer]

Great stuff...congrats on the coin.

NJ

 

[Red_desert]

I tried searching...Lima 1572-1650? Copper? It seems before the 15th century they were a gold coin. Spain had also recoined them for the Americas.

Looks like a good find!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

- had four more days in area - found some wreck material
and then this 1650 maravedi

Are there 2 wrecks and could the Gold Pelican be from the older wreck? Could the 1650 Marevedi been in the pocket of a 1715 sailor? Just things to think about.

 

[Chagy]

I was thinking the same thing.....

 

[elle]

The maravedi and the relic are two different scenarios (in my opinion).
I'm majorly short on time with deadlines and don't have time to write it all out,
but the pelican was made after the year 1670, and I've tracked it to have originated out
of a country in South America.
Artifacts and coins from the 1600's have been found over the decades at Middle Cove and
the area south of Douglas Beach.

 

[bigscoop]

If I found something that fantastic on the bottom of the ocean floor I'd still be sitting there staring at it, getting air/food/water through different tubes!
I'm also always amazed at how some of these soft metal items escape all the scratching and grinding effects of the moving sands. It's really a fantastic find!

 

[elle]

Update: Thanks to Troy Testa, evidence is indicating that the pelican
was to be used as a Sanctuary Lamp (hung in front of an altar when the Eucharist was present).

I am so happy!!! Thank you again, Troy!

Laura

 

[cowboykelly]

Nice work Troy...hoping to see pictures of what you are talking about soon!

 

[REALESALVAGE]

Hi everyone, Let me first say everyone here did allot of really great research and had allot of interest in solving the puzzle of the golden bird, which we now know as the "Pelican of Piety" so my journeys through Catholic up bringing reminded me of something that I saw as a young boy. What I saw was a bird incense burner that the priest would bless the isles with before the communion was delivered. It was the "Pelican of Piety" no doubt. The second was a candle lite that was lit before the Eucharist was presented. I have seen this many times before and my findings have been confirmed with Laura's the beautiful religious artifact that Bonnie found on that glorious day is a "Sanctuary Lamp" also known as a "Tabernacle lamp" or "Alter Lamp" it was lit and hung above the alter suspended by a chain or rope, it can also be hung by a floor stand and placed beside or just in front of the alter when the Eucharist is present. It most likely had a red half round piece of stained glass in the front and it was open in the back for lighting, this would explain the two part assembly. The three attachments represent the three baby birds that usually accompany the "Pelican of Piety" There was also possibly a small votive style cup that the candle or oil and a small wick sat in. If you look very closely at the photos there is also a Cross on the chain attachment above the wing and all three chains were most likely adorned with crosses like this. I am very happy to have worked with Laura on this research and bring this information to light. The "Pelican of Piety" Is the most beautiful 1715 relic I have seen by far. I can only pray and dream of one day finding something of such religious and historical significance in my lifetime... My search continues... Congratulations again Bonnie, you of all treasure salvors truly deserved this find. You are blessed... Troy


The Tabernacle Lamp
(or "Sanctuary Lamp" or "Altar Lamp")
In Catholic churches, at least one tabernacle lamp burns eternally outside the tabernacle where the Eucharist is kept, signifying the divine presence of God just as the ner tamid burned outside the tabernacle, signifying the presence of God in the Holy of Holies during Old Testament times:

Exodus 27:19-20
All the vessels of the tabernacle for all uses and ceremonies, and the pins both of it and of the court, thou shalt make of brass. Command the children of Israel that they bring thee the purest oil of the olives, and beaten with a pestle: that a lamp may burn always,
The tabernacle lamp is usually a light that hangs down from the ceiling, encased in a red globe. It is often called a "sanctuary lamp" because, barring extraordinary circumstances, such as in an historic cathedral with lots of tourist traffic, the tabernacle is to be kept near the Altar, in a prominent, honored, and well-decorated place, in the sanctuary.

 

[theseeker]

Great research by everyone involved! I am amazed at this great find and all of the study put in by those of you that did! Who says only archies are qualified to discover, research and document history. Not I. Great Work !

 

[elle]

The pelican "in her piety" is the symbol for the Eucharist (Christ who died for us).
This is also indicated by the "fleur-de-lis" design on the artifact's base which represents the Holy Trinity.
Three is a sacred number, as Troy expressed, and an example of this is shown on the
Archdiocese of New Orleans coat of arms which contains these flowers with a pelican "in her piety."
Troy and I knew that if the pelican did not hold the Eurcharist, then it had to be directly associated to
the altar where the sacred Eucharist was reserved.
If the interior of the church could not hang the sanctuary lamp, it was usually placed onto a beautiful
floor stand or affixed to a wall near the altar.
By maybe removing the pins either on the top or the bottom of the pelican's body, it might have been
easy for the keeper in charge to quickly gain acces for refilling and replacing the inside lighting contents.

The altar lamp could be designed into any religious shape and made with any type metal.
For all those maritime lovers, you'll appreciate this picture of a galleon sanctuary lamp
that represents Mary, Star of the Sea.

Troy, our minds worked well together. I won't forget your brilliance, kindness, and intelligence
within this field of artifact study/work.
Bonnie, again, hats off to you. By finding this one relic, you may have opened many eyes and hearts
to the Lord.

Laura

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

By removing the pins either on the top or the bottom of the pelican's body, it was easy for the keeper
in charge to quickly gain acces for refilling and replacing the inside lighting contents.

Hello Elle. It all sounds good but I dont think those pins are easily removed. Even though one side fell off, they appear to be permanent. Just my thoughts.

 

[elle]

Hi Bigcypresshunter!
Maybe Bonnie can help answer the question about the pins
since I have not seen this artifact in person, and I am only speculating
at this point how it could have been maintained.