This antique jewelry item is a Victorian cross pendant crafted in vermeil (gold-plated sterling silver, also known as silver gilt) weighing 18.4g and measuring 8cm long, 5.4cm wide and 3.5mm deep. This authentic antique jewelry item is a Victorian pendant in the form of a Latin cross, artistically chased and textured to create a significant spiritual and religious antique work of art. The four artistically chased arms of this alluring cross embellished with meticulously scalloped and chiseled terminals, each depict symbolic images. Close attention to these works of art will reveal a holy crown surmounted by a cross, a bird carrying a twig, the overlapping Greek letters 'X'(Chi)and 'P'(Rho) denoting the first two letters of the written name Christ, a second bird in flight and an arc. These meaningful signs are immaculately rendered in chase work enclosed by a circular cartouche with textured diagonal shading. The lower arm of this unique Victorian cross pendant, an authentic antique jewelry item, aged no less than 100 years, is engraved with an anchor, a heart and a cross, referring to the main pillars of Christianity namely hope, love, and faith respectively, frequently referred to as 'Faith, Hope and Charity'. Skillfully chased, botanically inspired vine leaves, enhanced by ornately chiseled borders, surround these symbols. The reverse is rendered in untextured vermeil and exposes in the center the Latin inscription 'IN HOC SIGNO VINCES'. This was translated from a Greek phrase, meaning 'thou shalt conquer' a motto said to have been adopted by Constantine after his vision of a cross in the heavens prior to his decisive battle with Maxentius in the year 312. The early Christian symbol consisted of a cross formed by the Greek letters 'X' and 'P' and according to the Roman historian Eusebius, Constantine saw a cross of light above this symbol as he looked up to the sun and had a dream in the following night in which Christ explained to him that he should use the sign against his enemies. This motto continues to appear frequently on the ribbon unfurled with a passion cross beneath a window over the Scala Regia, in the Vatican, adjacent to the statute of Emperor Constantine. The reverse of the upper arm bears the phrase:'Baptised 20th April 1911, St. Andrews, Backwell' and the name 'Richard Hallen Lewis', indicating that this antique jewelry Victorian cross pendant was either dedicated to or given as a memento of baptism on the indicated date. An ovular loop of pronounced size offers this unique pristine Victorian cross pendant versatility of wear with supporting chains or ribbons of various widths.

EO720C4

Suggested Retail Price: $800.00 Your Price: $520.00 $400.00 Wholesale Price: $400.00