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Not currently on display at the V&A

Cross

1600-1860 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Before the revolution of 1917, almost all Orthodox Russians wore pendent crosses. Most are made of cast silver, and they are very difficult to date accurately, as the same designs were used unchanged for centuries.

This cross is very primitive in appearance, with its core of imitation jasper set in silver-gilt mounts. It was described as 17th century when it was acquired in 1866, and may date from that period, but may also have been made in the 19th century. It would originally have been worn on a long filigree chain.



Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brick-red glass, imitating jasper, in silver-gilt mounts with pearls
Brief description
Glass cross, imitating jasper, in silver-gilt mounts with silver wires and seed pearls, Russia, 1600-1699 or 1800-1860.
Physical description
Rectangular cross of brick-red opaque glass, imitating jasper, with the ends encased in square silver-gilt mounts. There is a loop attached to the two vertical sides of each mount. The mounts are linked on the front of the cross by a flat silver-gilt cross applied across the centre, and at each side by a twisted silver wire, with a pearl at its centre, which is wound through the loops on each side. The mounts are engraved on the front with religious symbols and letters, and the top mount has an inscription in Cyrillic characters running round the other three sides. There is a loop at the top for suspension.
Dimensions
  • Length: 48mm
  • Width: 30mm
  • Depth: 7mm
Summary
Before the revolution of 1917, almost all Orthodox Russians wore pendent crosses. Most are made of cast silver, and they are very difficult to date accurately, as the same designs were used unchanged for centuries.

This cross is very primitive in appearance, with its core of imitation jasper set in silver-gilt mounts. It was described as 17th century when it was acquired in 1866, and may date from that period, but may also have been made in the 19th century. It would originally have been worn on a long filigree chain.

Collection
Accession number
108-1866

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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