Pendant Cross
1800-1867 (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 and central Italy in the first half of the 19th century. The design is based on older aristocratic jewellery, but the execution is uniquely Italian. This cross was originally the lowest part of a three-part pendant.
The whole pendant was bought for £3 12s. as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
Huge pendants and earrings like this were worn throughout northern and central Italy in the first half of the 19th century. The design is based on older aristocratic jewellery, but the execution is uniquely Italian. This cross was originally the lowest part of a three-part pendant.
The whole pendant was bought for £3 12s. as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Sheet gold |
| Brief description | Pendant cross of pierced sheet gold, Piedmont (Italy), 1800-1867. |
| Physical description | Cross of thin pierced sheet gold with floriated ends to the arms, and six applied hollow faceted bosses. Engraved decoration on the front. Originally the lowest part of a three-part pendant. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | illegible mark (On front; in centre at base.) |
| Subject depicted | |
| 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 and central Italy in the first half of the 19th century. The design is based on older aristocratic jewellery, but the execution is uniquely Italian. This cross was originally the lowest part of a three-part pendant. The whole pendant was bought for £3 12s. 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 1 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 397PART-1868 |
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| Record created | November 14, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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