SF720/1. Art Deco Gold Cross Pendant with Ruby

Art Deco 14 carat gold cross pendant embellished with rubies

The cross – one of the most ancient symbols

The cross is one of humanity's oldest emblems, having appeared in various cultures even before the emergence of Christianity. In the Christian tradition, however, it acquired a new and defining significance: it became a symbol of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, of faith, redemption, and the hope of eternal life.

For centuries, the cross has also been a personally worn symbol. We know of cross pendants worn around the neck from as early as the early Byzantine period, and later, pieces made of gold or silver to safeguard relics, decorated with enamel, pearls, and gemstones, were also crafted.

As a piece of jewelry, the cross was not merely ornamentation: it could express the wearer's faith, signify protection, hope, or a personal bond. Its form and decoration evolved over the centuries alongside the styles of jewelry art, while its fundamental meaning remained intact.

Perhaps this is precisely why it is a timeless jewel: simultaneously a personal object, a religious symbol, and a motif of goldsmithing reinterpreted across the centuries.