Gold set with rubies; opens to reveal a gold enamelled crucifix. English, 1525-1640, unmarked.

Set on the outside with rubies in gold, it opens to reveal an enamelled crucifix with the blood of Christ's wounds picked out in red.

Lent by Diocese of Brentwood

Traditionally said to have belonged to Cardinal Reginald Pole (died 1558), Archbishop of Canterbury in the reign of Mary Tudor. Pole was Secretary of State and responsible for England's brief return to Catholicism after the Protestant Reformation of Edward VI. It has descended in the Catholic Clifford and Petre families. The present cross was probably made about a hundred years after Pole's death, but the jewelled settings may have been carefully preserved from a cross that he had owned.
This form of cross of precious metal which was worn on the breast and suspended on a chain which goes around the neck. In the Roman Catholic Church, a pectoral cross is worn by cardinals and abbots as well as bishops.

Secret Catholicism
After the Reformation, the Roman Catholic faith was severely restricted. Catholics who refused to attend Church of England services were known as recusants and until the late 17th century they had to worship in secret. However, the Dukes of Norfolk and aristocratic families such as the Arundells at Wardour Castle encouraged Catholic communities to use their private chapels and so kept the faith alive.

The Catholic plate that survives from before the 1660s is mainly limited to chalices, paxes and pyxes. These earlier pieces are rarely marked. After 1688, Catholic plate was more often hallmarked and the range of forms expanded to include sanctuary lamps, cruets and incense boats.

In London, Catholics could worship openly in foreign embassy chapels. The silver from the Sardinian Embassy chapel can be seen in the case to the right. During the reign of Charles II, Catholic courtiers could also attend the queen's private chapel and that of the Queen Mother, Henrietta Maria.

Owned by the Clifford and Petre families, this beautiful cross was used in Roman Catholic worship. It is said to have belonged to Cardinal Reginald Pole, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1556-8, during the reign of Mary I. In the-mid 17th century the jewelled settings were reused on a new case. The cross opens to reveal an enamelled figure of Christ Crucified, also later in date than the original cross.

LOAN:MET ANON.15-2004