VICTORIAN 1870 OVERSIZED PECTORAL CROSS IN 17 KT YELLOW GOLD WITH A WOOD RELIC.
VICTORIAN (1840-1901) LARGE PECTORAL CROSS WITH A WOOD RELIC.
AN IMPRESSIVE OVERSIZED PIECE CREATED IN ENGLAND DURING THE VICTORIAN ERA, AROUND THE 1870'S. IS HAND CRAFTED IN SOLID 17 KARATS YELLOW GOLD WITH INTRICATE BYZANTINE-ETRUSCAN SYMBOLICS DETAILS. DECORATED WITH TWISTED WIRES AND THE JERUSALEM CRUSADER CROSS (1099 AD) WITH 4 SMALL MALTESES CROSSES. SUITED WITH A ROUND HINGED BALE AT TOP.
Jerusalem Cross
THE MOUNTING IS HOLDING AN ANCIENT BYZANTINE RELIC CROSS (Ca 1300 AD ) CARVED FROM NATURAL WOOD. IN THE REVERSE HAVE A CRIPTOGRAM WITH 4 INSCRIPTION; XC, IC., NI, KA (Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς νικᾷ OR "Jesus Christ Conquer"), INSPIRED BY THE CONSTANTINE THE GREAT VICTORIOUS EXPRESSION, DURING THE BATTLE OF THE MILVIAN BRIDGE IN 312 AD AND THE SUBSEQUENT ROMANS CONVERTION INTO THE CHRISTIANISM.
THE INSERTED CROSS DEPICTS TWO SCENES; IN THE OBVERSE. THE STANDING FIGURE OF CHRIST LOOKING FORWARD WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHIND AND THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDING IN THE FORM OF A PIGUEON AND IN THE REVERSE, THE SCENE OF THE CRUXIFICTION.
History Behind This Piece
BETWEEN 1800 AND 1920, ANCIENT CITIES WERE RE-DISCOVERED, SUCH AS TROY, POMPEII, BYZANTIUM AND ALEXANDRIA. ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN EGYPT, GREECE, TURKEY AND ROME, DISCOVERED ARTISTIC PIECES OF THESE ANCIENT CULTURES. THESE FABULOUS DISCOVERIES, STIMULATED CULTURAL TRIPS TO THESE COUNTRIES, POPULARLY CALLED "GRAND TOUR". BEING THE CASE THAT THE ENTHUSIAST VISITORS BRING BACK SMALL OBJECTS, LIKE RELICS SOUVENIRS TO BE ASSEMBLED INTO JEWELRY.
THE STARTING POINT OF THESE TRIPS WERE IN THE CITIES OF ROME AND VENICE. THIS IS WHY THE CRAFTSMANS OF THESE CITIES CREATED SMALL OBJECTS WITH ANCIENT CHARACTERISTICS LIKE THE CENTER PIECE OF THIS CROSS.
Legend And Biblical History
THE TRUE CROSS, IS THE NAME FOR PHYSICAL REMNANTS WHICH, BY THE TRADITION OF SOME CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, ARE SAID TO BE FROM THE CROSS UPON WHICH JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED.
ACCORDING TO POST-NICENE HISTORIANS SUCH AS SOCRATES OF CONSTANTINOPLE, EMPRESS HELENA, MOTHER OF EMPEROR CONSTANTINE, THE FIRST CHRISTIAN EMPEROR OF ROME, TRAVELLED TO THE HOLY LAND IN 326–328, FINDING CHURCHES AND ESTABLISHING RELIEF AGENCIES FOR THE POOR. HISTORIANS GELASIUS OF CAESAREA (DIED 395) AND RUFINUS (344/45-411) CLAIMED THAT SHE DISCOVERED THE HIDING PLACE OF THREE CROSSES THAT WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN USED AT THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS AND THE TWO THIEVES, ST. DISMAS AND GESTAS, EXECUTED WITH HIM.
THIS PIECE HAVE A TOTAL WEIGHT OF 63.95 Grams AND A MEASURES OF 96 mm (3.82 Inches) BY 63 mm (2.48 Inches) BY 9 mm (0.35 Inch).
AS A NOTE, THIS PIECE HAS BEEN ELECTRONICALLY TESTED FOR 71 % GOLD, EQUIVALENT TO 17 KARATS. IT IS IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION WITH THE ORIGINAL OLD PATINA INTACT, IS NOT POLISHED, REPAIRED OR HAVE MISSING PARTS.
PENDING CARBON-14 TEST FOR THE WOOD PIECE, TO DETERMINE THE AGE.
INVENTORY REF: P0000TNAE/1.537
