Pendant Cross
c. 1575-c. 1625
Medium
Gold, enamel, emeralds, and pearls
Dimensions
9.5 × 7.6 cm (3 3/4 × 3 in.)
Classification
pendant (jewelry)
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
119547
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This pendant cross is an elaborate assemblage of cast and fused segments ornamented with emeralds in tall, pyramidal mounts. Enameled gold and pin-fastened pearls add vigorous effects of color, texture, and light. The three-dimensional quality of this piece would have been particularly distinctive when worn upon the rich garments of the Renaissance.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...