Reliquary cross pendant

Download original image

Reliquary cross pendant

Description

This cross pendant was created using precious metal, and gold and decorated with expensive precious materials such as pearls and rubies to house relics of particular value. An interior compartment contains a sealed paper packet on which is written: ex sanguine Thomae Cant[erburiae] archaeopiscopi. This inscription indicates that it may also have contained a relic of St Thomas à Becket, who was killed in his cathedral at Canterbury in 1170. Gold wire (or filigree) creates eight-petalled flowers within circles and eight pearls. There are circular panels showing the Four Evangelists in enamel. Spanish/English.

Get fun and creativity in your inbox

Enter your details to sign up to our newsletter.