Crucifixion Bottles
18th century
Spanish missionaries introduced folk art in the form of crucifixion bottles to the Philippines. At the start of the 20th century, tradition has it that Bilibid prisoners were made to construct these as part of their rehabilitation. The idea was while passing the hours, skillfully putting together the minuscule pieces inside a bottle, prisoners would be inspired to reflect on Christ’s sufferings.
Bottle sizes range from 500ml to one to two liters, normally with a wide flat front and back sides. Inside these bottles was a Calvary tableau consisting of a Christ on the cross, his mother Mary and St. John. Sometimes, the three Marys ( las tres Marias) who were with Mary and John at the crucifixion and a couple of Roman soldiers completed the scene. Mountains and trees sometimes formed the backdrop. Blows of cotton were typically placed at the bottom of the bottles to add to the scene’s sublimity.
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