Standing copper and amber cross

Hill of Crosses – One-of-a kind copper and amber cross by local artist – Dr. Romualdas Povilaitis

Dr. Povilaitis, who came to the United States and the Chicago area in 1949, began building crosses at his home.

Design inspired by the Hill of the Crosses, Lithuania.

He uses a lot of elements that come from his home country. Lithuania is home to a shrine and a pilgrimage site known as the "Hill of Crosses."

The hill, about 12 kilometers north of Šiauliai, in the northern part of the country.

Dr. Povilaitis created unique and detailed composition of the "hill of crosses" sculpture. He also added  the figure of Christ — seated, his head resting on his hand, in a pose known as the "pensive Christ" .

The Pensive Christ – Rūpintojėlis. Many Lithuanians will have such a carving in their own homes. It is a subject in Christian iconography depicting a contemplating Jesus, sitting with his head supported by his hand with the Crown of Thorns and marks of his flagellation. The first known depictions appeared in the second half of the 14 century.

Each decorative cross is one-of-a-kind.

Height: 9 inches tall by 4 inches wide

Materials: wood, amber, copper