Pendant Cross
1800-1867 (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 garnets and pearls is typical of Italian traditional jewellery of the 19th century. The tiny loop at the top shows that it was originally part of a much larger and more imposing piece of jewellery. This would have hung vertically from a ribbon, secured by a large loop or hook at the back of the topmost element. Crosses like this were worn throughout northern and central Italy, often with matching earrings.
This cross was bought 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 garnets and pearls is typical of Italian traditional jewellery of the 19th century. The tiny loop at the top shows that it was originally part of a much larger and more imposing piece of jewellery. This would have hung vertically from a ribbon, secured by a large loop or hook at the back of the topmost element. Crosses like this were worn throughout northern and central Italy, often with matching earrings.
This cross was bought 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 set with pearls and garnets |
| Brief description | Gold cross set with garnets and pearls, Tuscany (Italy), 1800-1867. |
| Physical description | Pendant gold cross set with five (originally six) pearls in conical mounts, surrounded by flat-cut garnets. The original top is missing. |
| Dimensions |
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| 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 garnets and pearls is typical of Italian traditional jewellery of the 19th century. The tiny loop at the top shows that it was originally part of a much larger and more imposing piece of jewellery. This would have hung vertically from a ribbon, secured by a large loop or hook at the back of the topmost element. Crosses like this were worn throughout northern and central Italy, often with matching earrings. This cross 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 4 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 147-1868 |
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| Record created | October 31, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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