Gold, London hallmarks for 1716-17, mark of Benjamin Pyne

A gold reliquary cross with a glazed compartment for the relic of the true cross, beneath a rayed sun on the front, engraved with ornament in the style of Jean Berain with the inscription 'De Sta Croce Dom' Nostri JESU CHRISTI'.

Lent by St George's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Southwark, London

In the collection at St. George's Cathedral, Southwark by 1976, it bears on the reverse of the relic of the true cross the seal of Bishop Cowdrey, who held that office from 1949 to 1965 and was Archbishop from 1965 to 1976.

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.

This cross was used in Roman Catholic worship. It incorporates a fragment of the True Cross set in a rayed nimbus and is inscribed in Latin ‘[Part] of the Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ’. The True Cross was believed to be the actual cross on which Christ was crucified. According to legend, it was discovered in Jerusalem by the Empress Helena in the early 4th century. The fragments, which were subsequently distributed throughout Christendom, became the most precious relics in the Catholic church.

The cross is an unusual and a rare survival from the period when Roman Catholic faith was severely restricted in England. The goldsmith, Benjamin Pyne, was known to supply plate to Catholic clients. Here he has used engraved ornament in the style of the French designer Jean Berain.

LOAN:SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL.1-2005