This Victorian Scottish agate brooch and pendant is crafted in silver, weighs 21.3g and measures 4 inches long, 5.5cm wide and 7mm deep. This authentic Victorian Scottish agate brooch of Christian inspirational motif and impressive design depicts a stylized Latin cross with highly ornate asymmetric arms, surmounting an immaculately crafted silver anchor representing two major pillars of Christianity: Faith and Hope attributed to cross and anchor respectively. The latter is a reference to Pope Clement the Martyr who was condemned to death for his faith and beliefs. The highly stylized anchor of rare design incorporates a cylindrical-faceted Scottish banded agate displaying enchanting layers of 'rusty-brown' to 'light-brown' colors mounted in ornately chased silver. This Victorian Scottish agate brooch of spiritual and aesthetic grace is adorned on the cross arms and the anchor with floral and foliate motif engravings. A delicate corded silver rope entwining the expertly crafted anchor and attached to an orbicular loop of pronounced size at the upper finial symbolizes the execution of Pope Clement who drowned with an anchor tied around his neck. Scottish agate jewelry gained extreme popularity during the reign of Queen Victoria who had a great love for Scotland, and purchased the Balmoral Castle in 1848 which is still used by the Royal Family today. Her genuine love for all things Scottish promoted new trends in jewelry, inspired by traditional Scottish themes such as round brooches mounted with a central citrine, heart, dirks, strap and buckle and the well-known St. Andrews Cross, which was a common emblem all Scotsmen were entitled to wear. Scottish agate jewelry was crafted in either silver or gold and often adorned with hand-carved agate, carnelian, bloodstone, malachite, and granite to produce an enriched array of earthy Highland colors. This antique Victorian Scottish agate brooch features the original hinged silver pin and C-clasp. Although designed as a brooch, the broad loop offers versatility of wear as a pendant with a matching color velvet ribbon.
The legend of the martyrdom of St. Clement relates that, in the reign of Trajan when Mamertinus was prefect of the city, sedition arose among the rabble of Rome against the Christians, especially against Clement, bishop of Rome. Mamertinus interfered to diffuse the riot, and having arrested Clement, sent him to the emperor, who ordered his banishment to Pontus, where he was condemned to work in the marble quarries. He found many pagans among his fellow-convicts, comforted them and taught them to adhere to Christian faith. As a result, he was convicted to death and ordered to be drowned in the sea with an anchor tied around his neck. His body was recovered by his disciple Phoebus and his relics found their way to Rome to be deposited in the church of San Clemente, where they are still reverently preserved. These consist of bones, some reddened earth, a broken vase containing some red matter, a little bottle similarly filled, and an inscription stating that these are the relics of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Scilita, and of Flavius Clement. In fine art, St. Clement of Rome is represented as a Pope with an anchor at his side, his date of death being estimated at approximately 100 AD.
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