Pectoral cross
Pectoral cross
What do we know?
Pendant cross with expanded arms and central flat top cabochon stone, the stone is red and presumed garnet.
The top arm is detached, torn rather than a deliberate cut. The decoration goes from the front over the loop and finishes on the back.
This damaged area shows that the arms may have been added to the central area and soldered in position.
The main cross has three other arms with a circular filigree pattern with twisted wire work edging. The left arm has been bent upwards and inwards.
The central garnet is set in the gold, which has decorative twisted wire work. The garnet has a flat top which is showing general wear and worn smooth tiny chips.
Inclusions are visible in the stone at 10 x 6 magnification and thin lines are visible at the back of the garnet, possibly from a cracking paste below.
The sides of the arms and back are plain gold and very clean. General wear is visible on the surface.
BMAG Accession number: 2010.0138K0303
PMAG Accession number: 2010.LH.10.K0303
What might it have been used for?
A pectoral cross or pectorale (from the Latin pectoralis: 'of the chest') is a cross, usually relatively large, suspended from the neck by a cord or chain that reaches well down the chest.
It would have been worn by senior clergy (bishops and abbots) as a sign of their office, or by wealthy Christian lay people.
Key Facts
Weight
25.13 grams
Dimensions
66.1 x 50.3 x 4.3 mm
Material
The cross is made of gold. The stone is red and presumed to be a garnet.