Last Rites Sick Call Set Value Guide

This mid-century American Last Rites Sick Call set is a poignant artifact of Catholic domestic devotion, designed to facilitate the administration of sacraments in the home. It is highly collectible for its unique combination of a hidden storage compartment and detailed Stations of the Cross paper imagery.

What affects the value of Last Rites Sick Call Set?

• The physical condition of the wood finish and the clarity of the internal Stations of the Cross imagery.
• Completeness of the set, including the original candles, holy oil vessel, and any included linens.
• The presence of intact metal hardware and the functionality of the hidden compartment mechanism.
• Market demand for mid-20th-century religious Americana and liturgical objects.

How to Identify Last Rites Sick Call Set?

• Look for a sliding or hinged wooden crucifix that reveals a hidden compartment for holy oil and candles.
• Verify the presence of two integrated metal candle holders and original paper lithographs depicting the Stations of the Cross.
• Check for mid-century American manufacturing marks or labels consistent with the 1940-1960 era.
• Confirm the set includes the original religious components like the small vessel for holy water or holy oil.

History of Last Rites Sick Call Set

Sick call sets, also known as Last Rites sets, gained prominence in Catholic homes as a practical and symbolic way to prepare for the administration of the sacraments to the ill or dying. These sets typically contain a crucifix, candles, holy water, and often a cloth or small vessel for holy oil, enabling a priest to perform the Last Rites ceremony at a moment's notice. They served as a visible reminder of faith and the importance of spiritual preparation within the domestic setting, reflecting a deeply ingrained religious practice.