Pendant Cross thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91 to 93 mezzanine, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Pendant Cross

1820-1867 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Italian women have always loved lavish display. Even for the poorest, a rich show of jewellery was all important. Italian goldsmiths were expert at making a little material go a very long way. Many pieces seem too large to wear comfortably, but they are usually made of very thin gold, and are much lighter than they appear. Even the largest pieces weigh only a few grams.

Huge pendants and earrings like this were worn throughout northern Italy in the first half of the 19th century. The design is based on older aristocratic jewellery, but the execution is uniquely Italian.

This pendant was bought as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Pendant Cross
  • Pendant Cross
Materials and techniques
Sheet gold, pierced, engraved and faceted
Brief description
Large foliated pendant of sheet gold ending in a stylised cross, Italy, 1820-1867.
Physical description
Large three-part pendant of thin sheet gold, pierced and engraved in a floral pattern, with raised hollow faceted domes. The lowest part is a stylised cross.
Dimensions
  • Length: 36.8cm
  • Width: 12.2cm
  • Depth: 0.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
'CB' or 'GB' (Marked once on each of the three main pieces, on the centre of the front, at the highest or lowest point.)
Translation
Mark of unidentified maker
Production
Worn in the northern and central provinces
Summary
Italian women have always loved lavish display. Even for the poorest, a rich show of jewellery was all important. Italian goldsmiths were expert at making a little material go a very long way. Many pieces seem too large to wear comfortably, but they are usually made of very thin gold, and are much lighter than they appear. Even the largest pieces weigh only a few grams.

Huge pendants and earrings like this were worn throughout northern Italy in the first half of the 19th century. The design is based on older aristocratic jewellery, but the execution is uniquely Italian.

This pendant was bought as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
Bibliographic reference
'Italian Jewellery as worn by the Peasants of Italy', Arundel Society, London, 1868, Plate 2 'The Paris Universal Exhibition, 1867', published by The Art Journal, London, 1868, p.325.
Collection
Accession number
313-1868

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Record createdFebruary 8, 2008
Record URL
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