This piece of goldsmithery, which has garnered attention across Andalucía, is the culmination of centuries of love and devotion towards the Virgen del Mar. The 'rostrillo' was designed to complement the Gothic carving of the Virgin, aiming to harmonize with the coronation crown, a work by Félix Granda, as explained by goldsmith Luis Prieto of El Oribe Joyas.
The commission, initiated by the governing board of the Hermandad de la Virgen del Mar, stands out not only for its design and execution but also for its profound emotional significance. The 'rostrillo' is crafted from pure gold sourced from the Virgin's own jewelry collection, enhanced with natural gemstones, pearls, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and aquamarines, all from jewels donated by the faithful over time.
“"We conceived it as a complement to the Gothic carving of the Virgen del Mar. It had to approach the lines of Félix Granda's coronation crown, because uniquely, the coronation 'rostrillo' does not match the crown. So we understood it as a tribute to Granda, with no other pretension than to approach the master's work and create something that would speak, that would interact with the crown."
The 'rostrillo' design incorporates allusions to Marian and marine attributes, such as the shell and fleshy ash leaves, similar to those found on the facades of Gothic cathedrals. Additionally, it features angels as finials holding a crowned diamond ornament and a pierced perimeter frieze surrounding the oval of the face, a design element inspired by Granda's crowns.
As an additional gesture, the goldsmith workshop in Jerez has gifted a matching pin with a pointed pearl to the Infant Jesus held by the Virgen del Mar, also commemorating his coronation 75 years ago.
A 'rostrillo' is an attribute used to adorn images of the Virgin, especially those of Glory. Its origin is linked to interpretations of Saint John's apocalyptic vision, which describes a woman clothed with the sun, and to the 16th-century fashion of dressing images with fabrics and headpieces. Prieto emphasizes that the 'rostrillo', along with the crown and scepter, plays a fundamental role in the allegory of the glorification of the Virgin Mary.
