Cross
1800-1860 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Crosses are the most distinctive element in French traditional jewellery. Every French woman owned one. They usually wore them on a black velvet ribbon, fastened tightly round the neck like a choker, with a slide at the front. The ribbon passes through the bale of the cross, and is then threaded through a hole or loop at the base of the slide, and out at either side. The ribbon is tied in a bow at the back of the neck.
Normandy has the greatest variety of crosses, many with large and distinctive patterns, and individual names. Smaller kinds, like this one, are equally typical of the region, but do not have a distinctive name. The stones are probably local Normandy crystals.
Normandy has the greatest variety of crosses, many with large and distinctive patterns, and individual names. Smaller kinds, like this one, are equally typical of the region, but do not have a distinctive name. The stones are probably local Normandy crystals.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast openwork silver set with rock crystal |
| Brief description | Silver pendant cross set with rock crystal, Normandy (France), 1800-1860. |
| Physical description | Stylised cross set with four circular facetted clear crystals in raised conical settings, with smaller crystals between them. The lowest limb of the cross hangs loosely from a bar at the base of the main section, and has a central drop-shaped conical mount. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Partial mark of 'T' in a shield. (On front, at extreme right.) |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Crosses are the most distinctive element in French traditional jewellery. Every French woman owned one. They usually wore them on a black velvet ribbon, fastened tightly round the neck like a choker, with a slide at the front. The ribbon passes through the bale of the cross, and is then threaded through a hole or loop at the base of the slide, and out at either side. The ribbon is tied in a bow at the back of the neck. Normandy has the greatest variety of crosses, many with large and distinctive patterns, and individual names. Smaller kinds, like this one, are equally typical of the region, but do not have a distinctive name. The stones are probably local Normandy crystals. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 85-1869 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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