Pendant Cross
1820-1867 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Italian women have always loved lavish display. Even for the poorest, an impressive show of jewellery was all important. Like catholic women elsewhere in southern Europe they often wore elaborate crosses as jewellery.
The design of this cross is based on 18th century aristocratic jewellery, but the use of faceted decoration in imitation of diamonds is typical of 19th century traditional jewellery. Crosses like this were worn mainly in the north-west of Italy. It is much heavier and more expensive than those worn further south. Its original owner would have worn it hung from a ribbon, passed through the loops at the back of the bow at the top.
This cross was bought for £4 16s as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
The design of this cross is based on 18th century aristocratic jewellery, but the use of faceted decoration in imitation of diamonds is typical of 19th century traditional jewellery. Crosses like this were worn mainly in the north-west of Italy. It is much heavier and more expensive than those worn further south. Its original owner would have worn it hung from a ribbon, passed through the loops at the back of the bow at the top.
This cross was bought for £4 16s as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold |
| Brief description | Gold pendant cross decorated with faceted bosses, Parma (Italy), 1820-1867. |
| Physical description | Three-part pendant, consisting of a stylised bow with a cross hanging from it via an intermediate pierced link in the centre. Each piece is decorated with hollow faceted domes. Two vertical bars for attachment on the back of the bow. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Bird's head in a shaped frame. (marked three times:
On front of the bow, on lower suspension loop.
On front of the centre piece, on the right edge, halfway down.
On front of the cross, at the far end of the right arm. )
|
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Italian women have always loved lavish display. Even for the poorest, an impressive show of jewellery was all important. Like catholic women elsewhere in southern Europe they often wore elaborate crosses as jewellery. The design of this cross is based on 18th century aristocratic jewellery, but the use of faceted decoration in imitation of diamonds is typical of 19th century traditional jewellery. Crosses like this were worn mainly in the north-west of Italy. It is much heavier and more expensive than those worn further south. Its original owner would have worn it hung from a ribbon, passed through the loops at the back of the bow at the top. This cross was bought for £4 16s 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 5
Probably illustrated on page 325 of 'The Paris Universal Exhibition, 1867', published by The Art Journal, London, 1868. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 375-1868 |
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| Record created | February 8, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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