SF720/2. Art Deco Gold Cross Pendant with Diamond

Art Deco 14 karat gold pendant embellished with rose-cut diamonds set in silver

The cross – one of the most ancient symbols

The cross is one of mankind's oldest emblems, appearing in various cultures even before the emergence of Christianity. In the Christian tradition, however, it acquired a new and defining meaning, becoming 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 the early Byzantine period, and later pieces designed to hold relics were also made of gold or silver, adorned with enamel, pearls, and gemstones.

As a piece of jewelry, the cross was not merely ornamentation: it could express the wearer's faith, signify protection, hope, or a personal attachment. Its shape and decoration evolved alongside the styles of jewelry art over the centuries, 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.