Croce Ulivo Con Base – 17 cm Olive Wood Crucifix with Stand

Croce Ulivo Con Base – 17 cm Olive Wood Crucifix with Stand

Welcome to Santa Gloria. From our home here in Rome, the heart of the Catholic faith, we are honoured to present to you a piece that is more than just a beautiful object—it is a profound symbol of faith, a companion for prayer, and a tangible link to the Holy Land. We invite you to explore this exquisite Croce Ulivo Con Base, a 17 cm standing olive wood crucifix that brings centuries of tradition directly into your home.

This isn’t simply a product. It is a piece of sacred history, crafted from a tree whose roots are intertwined with the very story of our salvation. As curators of fine, handcrafted religious items, we at Santa Gloria have seen many beautiful crucifixes, but there is something uniquely moving about a cross meticulously shaped from the wood of the olive tree. This standing crucifix, with its sturdy base, is designed to be an intimate part of your life—to rest on your table, your desk, or your home altar, serving as a constant and humble reminder of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

A Beacon of Faith for Your Home: The 17 cm Standing Crucifix

Let us introduce you to the piece itself. This Croce Ulivo con Base stands at 17 cm (approximately 6.7 inches), a perfect size that is both noticeable and deeply personal. It is substantial enough to be a focal point for your prayer corner, yet modest enough to sit quietly on a bedside table or study desk, offering silent strength throughout your day.

The first thing you will notice is the wood. Each olive wood cross is unique, bearing a story in its grain. The wood itself, sourced from the ancient groves of the Holy Land, is warm to the touch. You will see swirling patterns of light tan, deep brown, and rich, honeyed gold. No two are ever alike; the crucifix you receive will have its own distinct character, a unique fingerprint from the tree it came from. The cross is hand-finished to a smooth, reverent sheen that doesn’t mask the wood’s natural beauty but enhances it, inviting you to hold it in your hands during prayer.

At the heart of the cross rests the corpus, the body of Christ. Rendered in a fine, silver-toned metal, the figure is detailed with a sense of classical Italian artistry—capturing the solemnity and sacrifice of the Passion without being overly stark. Above, the small “INRI” plaque is affixed, bearing the traditional Latin inscription Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews).

What truly sets this piece apart is its form. As a standing crucifix, it does not need a wall; it lives with you, in your space. The cross is set firmly into a solid, multi-tiered base, also carved from matching olive wood. This base gives it stability, transforming it from a simple cross into a tabletop crucifix—a small, sacred shrine for your home altar. This 17 cm standing crucifix is a complete devotional item, ready to consecrate any space it inhables with its quiet, powerful presence.

The Sacred Soul of Olive Wood: A Gift from Gethsemane

To understand this croce ulivo, you must first understand the tree. The olive tree is not just any wood. It is, perhaps, the most symbolic tree in all of Christianity. Its story is woven into the fabric of our faith, from Genesis to the very night of Christ’s Passion.

When we at Santa Gloria select an Italian olive wood crucifix, we are choosing a material that signifies peace, reconciliation, and divine history. Do you remember the story of Noah? After the great flood, the dove returned to the ark carrying a single, fresh olive leaf—a sign that the waters had receded, that God’s wrath had passed, and that a new covenant of peace with humanity had begun. The olive tree has been a symbol of peace and divine grace ever since.

Standing cross for home altar

More poignantly, the olive tree is intrinsically linked to the Passion of our Lord. Jesus went to pray in a garden on the Mount of Olives—a place called Gethsemane. The name Gethsemane in Aramaic means “oil press.” It was in an olive grove, surrounded by these ancient, gnarled trees, that Jesus prayed in his agony, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39).

To hold this olive wood cross in your hands is to hold a piece of Gethsemane. It is a physical, tactile connection to the very earth where Christ began his journey to the cross. The wood, with its dense, beautiful grain, comes from trees that can live for thousands of years. The wood used for these crosses is often pruned from ancient trees, giving new life to branches that have borne witness to centuries of history. This is not just wood; it is a relic, a piece of the Holy Land, a silent testament to Christ’s faithful obedience.

The Crucifix: The Ultimate Symbol of Catholic Devotion

In the Catholic tradition, we venerate the crucifix, not the empty cross. While the empty cross is a beautiful symbol of the Resurrection, the crucifix—the cross bearing the body of Christ—is the central image of our redemption. It is the ultimate “love letter” from God to humanity.

This Croce Ulivo Con Base is a powerful tool for contemplation. It stops us, and it asks us to reflect. It prevents us from domesticating the story of our faith, from smoothing over the hard edges of sacrifice. It reminds us that our salvation was not cheap. It was won at a great and terrible price—the price of God’s own son.

Having a tabletop crucifix in your home, especially on a home altar, serves as a memento mori—a reminder of our mortality, yes, but more importantly, a reminder of what comes after. It is a visual sermon that speaks volumes without a single word.

• It reminds us of God’s infinite love.
• It reminds us of the reality of sin and the need for repentance.
• It reminds us that suffering, when united with Christ’s, has redemptive power.
• It reminds us, in our own moments of trial, that we are not alone. Christ has been there. He understands.

This standing cross for a home altar becomes a focal point for prayer. It is where you can light a candle, say your rosary, or simply sit in silence. It is a gateway to the sacred, a fixed point of grace in the midst of a busy and often chaotic world. This 17 cm crucifix is a humble, yet unwavering, declaration of the faith that anchors your life and your home.

Handcrafted in Italy: The Santa Gloria Promise of Authenticity

As a Roman store, Santa Gloria is deeply rooted in the Italian tradition of sacred art. Italy has a long and storied history of artisans who have dedicated their lives to creating objects of faith, from the grand masterpieces of the Renaissance to the humble, handcrafted items that enrich our daily devotions.

This Italian olive wood crucifix is a product of that living tradition. It represents a beautiful marriage of materials and craftsmanship. The sacred wood is sourced from the Holy Land (often from Bethlehem or Jerusalem), and it is then brought to Italy, where skilled artisans shape it into these beautiful devotional pieces. The crafting process is one of respect; the artisan must read the wood, understanding its grain and character, to bring forth the cross hidden within.

When you purchase this Croce ulivo con base 17 cm from Santa Gloria, you are not buying a mass-produced, anonymous object. You are acquiring a piece that has been thoughtfully curated by us for its quality, its beauty, and its theological integrity. We stand by the authenticity of our items. We ensure that the materials are genuine and that the craftsmanship is worthy of the sacred symbol it represents. This crucifix is a genuine article of faith, steeped in the rich artistic heritage of Italy and the spiritual soil of the Holy Land.

The Perfect Standing Cross for Home Altar and Daily Life

One of the most beautiful aspects of this particular Croce Ulivo Con Base is its versatility. Its design as a standing cross makes it an incredibly useful and cherished item for any Catholic home.

For Your Home Altar: This is, perhaps, its most natural setting. If you have a dedicated prayer corner or home altar, this 17 cm standing crucifix serves as the perfect centerpiece. Flanked by candles or a statue of Our Lady, it anchors your sacred space, immediately drawing your mind and heart to prayer.

For Your Desk: In our modern world, our work is a significant part of our lives. Placing this tabletop crucifix on your desk is a powerful way to sanctify your work. It is a quiet reminder to offer your labours to God, to act with integrity, and to be a source of Christ’s peace to those you interact with, even over an email or a phone call.

For Your Bedside Table: What better way to begin and end your day? To see the crucifix first thing in the morning is to be reminded to offer your day to God. To see it last thing at night is to be reminded to examine your conscience, ask for forgiveness, and rest in the peace of Christ. It is a silent guardian through the night.

For a Family Space: Placed on a mantelpiece, a bookshelf, or a living room side table, this crucifix becomes a gentle, powerful witness to all who enter your home. It declares your home as a Catholic home, a place where Christ is at the centre.

A Timeless Catholic Gift of Enduring Faith

In our search for meaningful gifts, we often struggle. We want to give something that is not only beautiful but will last, something that speaks from our heart to theirs. This Croce Ulivo Con Base is one of the most profound Catholic gifts you can give.

It is a perfect gift for nearly every sacrament and milestone in a Catholic’s life:

• Baptism: A beautiful first cross to grow with a child.
• First Holy Communion: A gift to mark their deeper initiation into the mystery of the Eucharist, which flows from the sacrifice of the cross.
• Confirmation: A reminder of the faith they are confirming as their own, and the strength of the Holy Spirit that flows from Christ.
• Weddings: A perfect gift for a new couple, to be placed in their new home as the foundation of their family life.
• RCIA Candidates: A welcoming gift for those entering into full communion with the Church.
• Sympathy or Bereavement: In times of loss, the crucifix is a profound symbol of hope. It reminds us that death does not have the final say and that Christ’s victory is our own.
• Housewarming: What better way to bless a new home than with the image of our salvation?

When you give this 17 cm standing crucifix, you are giving more than an object. You are giving a tool for prayer, a piece of the Holy Land, a symbol of God’s unending love, and a timeless work of Italian religious art. It is a gift that will be cherished for a lifetime, passed down through generations.

Bring This Sacred Story Into Your Home

Here at Santa Gloria, we believe that objects of faith matter. They are not magic, but they are sacramental—they are windows to the divine. They help us focus, they remind us, and they inspire us.

This Croce Ulivo Con Base is a special piece. It is a humble 17 cm of wood and metal, yet it contains the entire story of salvation. It is a piece of the olive groves of Gethsemane, a product of Italy’s sacred artistic tradition, and a powerful symbol of the Catholic faith.

We invite you to make this beautiful olive wood crucifix a part of your home. Let it be a quiet companion in your prayer, a source of strength in your trials, and a beautiful testament to the faith that guides you. Thank you for letting us, from our home in Rome, share these sacred traditions with you.