WROUGHT IRON CILICE
WROUGHT IRON CILICE
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This wrought iron cilice, from an ancient monastery in northern Spain, powerfully embodies the ascetic practices and rigorous discipline adopted by certain monastic orders. Designed as an instrument of penance, it consists of a tangle of intertwined circular links, forming a flexible yet durable metal structure.
Its rough appearance, marked by craftsmanship and oxidation over time, testifies to repeated and prolonged use. What is immediately striking are the sharp, inward-facing hooks designed to exert constant pressure on the skin. Similar to those found on thigh or arm cilices, these points inflicted continuous discomfort, even stabbing pain, serving as a constant reminder of the wearer’s spiritual commitment and Christ’s sacrifice.
This cilice could be worn around the waist, thighs, or arms, depending on the degree of penance sought. Each movement then became a test, each step an act of silent devotion. Far from being an object of ostentation, it was reserved for intimate practice, accompanying long hours of prayer and meditation in monastic isolation.
The wear and tear on the metal suggests it served generations of monks, passed down over time as a symbol of discipline and self-denial. Its design allowed it to adapt to the shape of the body, exerting more or less intense pressure depending on how it was adjusted.
Today, this metal cilice remains a poignant testament to the rites of bodily mortification practiced in certain Spanish monasteries. It reflects a time when faith and suffering were intimately linked, when asceticism and the renunciation of earthly comforts were considered paths to spiritual purification and union with the divine.
PERIOD : 19th century
DIMENSIONS : 37 cm
SIZE : 15"
A copy of a cilice from the same period is held by the Louvre Museum in Paris, see here
A similar cilice from the same period is held in the Louvre Museum in Paris—see here.
The cilice, a voluntary instrument of bodily mortification, was widely adopted in various Christian communities as a means of spiritual discipline. It was intended to combat temptations while cultivating an identification with the sufferings of Jesus Christ during His Passion and the spiritual rewards that resulted from it.
