Pendant Cross
1750-1850 (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 pendant is based on 18th century aristocratic jewellery, but the use of garnets and pearls is typical of Italian traditional jewellery of the 19th century. Crosses like this were worn throughout northern and central Italy, often with matching earrings. The original owner would have worn it hung from a ribbon, threaded through the two vertical slides at the back of the top segment.
The design of this pendant is based on 18th century aristocratic jewellery, but the use of garnets and pearls is typical of Italian traditional jewellery of the 19th century. Crosses like this were worn throughout northern and central Italy, often with matching earrings. The original owner would have worn it hung from a ribbon, threaded through the two vertical slides at the back of the top segment.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pierced sheet gold set with garnets and pearls |
| Brief description | Gold three-part pendant set with garnets and pearls, Italy, 1750-1850. |
| Physical description | Three-part pendant, consisting of a cross hanging from a V-shaped segment below a stylised bow. There are two bars for suspension on the back of the bow. All pieces are decorated with applied plain and twisted wire, pierced pearls, and flat-cut garnets in closed settings. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Gift of Mary Houghton of Florence |
| Subjects 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 pendant is based on 18th century aristocratic jewellery, but the use of garnets and pearls is typical of Italian traditional jewellery of the 19th century. Crosses like this were worn throughout northern and central Italy, often with matching earrings. The original owner would have worn it hung from a ribbon, threaded through the two vertical slides at the back of the top segment. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.175-1948 |
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| Record created | October 31, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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