A very rare and unique cross of the Order of the Templars in Botticino marble, entirely hand-carved, from an important private collection in Venice. It has a central Red France marble inlay. On the borders is engraved the sentence: “Non nobis domine, non nobis, sed nomini, tuo da gloriam”, it is the Knights Templar motto, from the “Ordo Templi” and it means: “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory”. The text is the translation of the middle verses of Psalm 113 (Ancient Vulgate) or the "incipit" of Psalm 115 (according to the Hebrew numbering), 114 of the Bible. It is also engraved on a band of the base that runs the entire width of the facade of 'Ca ’Vendramin Calergi', on the Grand Canal in Venice. We can find this inscription also on the windows of the façade of Palazzo Zabarella in Padua and on the base of the bell tower of Santa Barbara in Mestre. The words “Non nobis domine non nobis” are engraved on a plaque embedded in the town hall of Salò (BS), on the side facing the lake. The Knights Templar, or simply the Templars, were one of the earliest and most popular medieval Christian military orders. The order was founded in the Holy Land after the outbreak of war between Christian and Islamic forces, following the first crusade in 1096. Around 1118-1119 a handful of knights decided to found the original group of the Templars, to protect the numerous European pilgrims arrived in Jerusalem. The order was made official in 1129, with a monastic code, and had the support of Bernard of Clairvaux. The dual role of monks and combatants, which characterised the Knights Templar at the apogee, aroused perplexity among Christians. Over time, the Templars were also involved in agricultural and financial activities, creating a great production system and managing the properties of the pilgrims. In this way they created the most advanced and widespread banking system of that period. In the collective imagination, the Templars are controversial characters, perhaps because of the many legends born between the 18th and 19th centuries, which mentioned strange rituals and a bond, never really existed, between the Templars and the Freemasons. All these legends were the result of the collective imagination of cultural movements such as the Enlightenment, Romanticism, and Freemasonry, who painted the Templars as shady characters, without conducting historically accurate studies and only using them to attack the Catholic church. Work of great symbolic and religious value, of excellent workmanship and quality. Medium size item, well proportioned and not too heavy. Perfect to be hung on the wall. With a beautiful marble grain and a nice patina. The structure of this coat of arms is very elegant, it is the result of the long and meticulous workmanship of master sculptors of the time. Exclusive item, one of a kind. In perfect condition and intact in all its parts. In case of shipping, it will be delivered in a sturdy wooden crate with appropriate packaging. Shipping throughout Italy, Europe and the rest of the world at very low rates, with safe and trackable delivery. The item is also available for pickup at our warehouse. Size: - width 30 cm - length 30 cm - thickness: 8 cm Weight 12 kg.