Reliquary Cross. Silver, Clear Glass. 17th-18th Century.

Reliquary cross. Silver, clear glass. 17th-18th century
Silver devotional pendant in the shape of a Latin cross, decorated on the outside with simple scrolls, spikes, pearls, and other classically inspired elements, as well as a ring to wear the jewel suspended from the neck. The front is pierced with seven oval holes (the one where the arms are crossed, which is the largest) protected by clear glass; the back is smooth, with the material in its color. From a typological point of view, there are similar examples of Portuguese origin, made of rock crystal and protected by silver bands, without the scrolls and other decorations, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, preserved in two private collections. The present jewel presents much more animated profiles than these two, although the motifs and simplicity of the lines respond to classicist influences. This type of jewelry had great value for its owners, both for the materials it was made of and for its content, which was considered sacred and protective. Despite this high value (or precisely for this reason), few examples of good quality and in good condition have survived. Medallions similar to this one exist only in some important institutions such as the Fundación Valencia de Don Juan in Madrid, the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas (Madrid), the Lázaro Galdiano (Madrid), the Museo de Creencias y Religiosidad Popular del Pirineo Aragonés (Abizanda, Huesca), the Metropolitan Museum (New York), etc. And in important religious institutions such as the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela or the Convent of the Descalzas Reales in Madrid. -
Size: 6.5x10 cm