Of the many antique sacred hearts I have collected and sold over the years, this is certainly one of the finest. Because these were made by ordinary people, cloistered nuns or monks, they are like all forms of vernacular and folk art: The quality varies tremendously depending on the materials available and the skill level of the artist. This embroidery on silk is very fine indeed; very tidily and meticulously done. It measures about 14” tall in a gilded frame measuring 17.5” tall. There is a tiny dark patch above the cross where it looks like the silk shattered; otherwise condition is excellent.