Cross
1781-1792 (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.
This cross comes from Normandy, which was famous for the size and variety of its crosses in the 19th century. In the 18th century they were usually comparatively small, like this one, and often set with local rock crystals.
This cross comes from Normandy, which was famous for the size and variety of its crosses in the 19th century. In the 18th century they were usually comparatively small, like this one, and often set with local rock crystals.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver set with rock crystal and garnets |
| Brief description | Silver pendant cross set with rock crystal and garnet, Lower Normandy (France), 1781-1792 |
| Physical description | Silver cross of stylised form, made from openwork silver set with rock crystal and garnets. The cross is in two parts. The larger is set with four circular crystals in closed conical mounts with imitation tooth-setting round the base. There are four small facetted garnets set between the conical mounts. The smaller part consists of a drop hanging from the lower edge of the top part, set with a similar pear-shaped crystal. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Vertical leaves in shaped frame. (On suspension loop.)
|
| 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. This cross comes from Normandy, which was famous for the size and variety of its crosses in the 19th century. In the 18th century they were usually comparatively small, like this one, and often set with local rock crystals. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 82-1869 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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