Archangel Michael Florentine Plaque is made of high quality print of Saint Michael the Archangel, placed on attractively decorated wood board with all gold leaf area surrounding the image. There is a wall mounting hanger on the back of the plaque. It can also be used with an Icon Stand, or suitable Iconostasis in the entrance of the Church, or placed anywhere within a Church, as well as any other sacred place of worship, such as home altars or prayer corners, and rooms where the family can spend time of prayer.
St Michael the Archangel is honored as the supreme guardian spirit of the universal Church. In heaven, St Michael led the good angels against Lucifer and his rebel angels. The fallen angels pursue on earth that same war against the Man-God Christ which they began in heaven. Therefore, St Michael continues to direct the battle against them here on earth. The standard-bearer of the Church, he introduces the departed souls of her children into God’s holy light (Offertory Hymn of Requiem Mass). He also presents our prayers to God (Incensation at High Mass), conquers demons (Prayers after Low Mass), and pleads for us sinners (Confiteor).
About Florentine Wall Art
Florentine wall art has been around for hundreds of years. When it first developed in the 14th and 15th centuries, in and around Florence, Italy, the gilding with gold leaf of a heavy wood frame was used to highlight an original painting that it surrounded. As prints of originals became more widely available and the demand from the public increased, a more affordable process came about; that of decorating a wood board with gold leaf surrounding the print. In order to make the final outcome as beautiful as possible, a labor intensive process soon developed.
First, a board was cut on which to mount the print, as different shapes of boards worked better with different prints. Next the unfinished wood is coated with a white paste which is allowed to dry. Gold leaf or gold paint is applied to the outer edges of the board.
The gold leafing adds 25-30% to the cost as it contains real gold which adds to the brightness and luster of the piece. The print is glued onto the board and then the real craftsmanship that was developed over many years begins. The reason for applying the white paste in an earlier stage is so that the artisans can use the many different tools that they have to put lasting, physical impressions into the borders surrounding the print. The final touch is then applied, coating the entire piece with a very light antique lacquer to give it an “Old World” feel.
