German Medieval Reliquary cross
Ornate 15th century reliquary cross in silver with granuled decoration. Set with five 7mm cabachon cut garnets on the arms of the cross, four baroque cultured pearls on the face and four round cultured pearlsare also threaded between the arms.
This is a copy of a gilded silver 15thc German cross from the V and A collection, the garnets may represent the blood of Christ and the Pearls are symbolic of purity. The back is engraved with five roundels depicting the instruments of the passion: the nails, lance, scourge, sponge and what may be a rope.
This cross is hollow and made up of two parts, unfortunately it can't be left open. Available in Gilded brass, Silver and Gilded Silver. Some of the photographs show a rose cut garnet in the centre. I can no longer get these, so all of the stones are round cabachon cut.
5.4cm high x 7mm thick.