Timelessly elegant Spanish Cross associated with longevity and immortality

Large cross made of polished tortoiseshell with rod-shaped arms in round section. The gilded silver mounts have an engraved chevron frieze on the collet and openwork symmetrical scroll ornaments as cross ends, and on top a pendant loop. The cross shows signs of wear through age and is in good wearable condition.

Literature:

Cross pendants were worn throughout Catholic Europe as a sign of faith, especially in Spain and can be found in prominent portrait paintings through the centuries. The designs and choice of materials vary from elaborate gold with diamonds or emeralds, to jet, coral, and rock crystal. For a variety of Spanish cross pendants, see: Letizia Arbeteta Mira, El arte de la Joyería en le collección Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid 2003, pp. 146-165.

Rare though are crosses made of tortoiseshell which would have been available through the Galleon trade with Asia and the Americas. The use of tortoiseshell in jewelry goes back to the Ancient Egyptians and Romans. In seventeenth-century Western Europe this material was highly prized by the royal courts for fine marquetry work in furniture, small objets d’art, and trinkets. For further information on tortoise as a material and its history, see: Maggie Campbell Pedersen, Gem and Ornamental Materials of Organic Origin, Oxford 2004, pp. 125. In the Far East according to Pedersen, especially China and Japan tortoiseshell was applied to create delicate artefacts.

More commonly known is the use of tortoiseshell for hair combs, and the women in Spain inspired by the Asian tradition wore these in intricate designs as a clasp for holding the mantilla.

Turtles symbolized longevity and immortality, perhaps the owner wore it for protection and good health.

J-25-06