A SPANISH COLONIAL EMERALD AND GOLD PENDANT BADGE OF THE HOLY ORDER OF THE INQUISITION, the bow-shaped link set with rectangular-cut emeralds and suspending a shaped panel with later applied diamond-set figure of the Christ Child, the matted ground engraved with a cross between an olive branch and sword (formerly enamelled), the undulating outer border with rectangular-cut emeralds and enamelled on the reverse with a black and white cross of St. Dominic, circa 1700 5.2cm. overall height

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A SPANISH COLONIAL EMERALD AND GOLD PENDANT BADGE OF THE HOLY ORDER OF THE INQUISITION, the bow-shaped link set with rectangular-cut emeralds and suspending a shaped panel with later applied diamond-set figure of the Christ Child, the matted ground engraved with a cross between an olive branch and sword (formerly enamelled), the undulating outer border with rectangular-cut emeralds and enamelled on the reverse with a black and white cross of St. Dominic, circa 1700 5.2cm. overall height

Lot Essay

INDENTThe friars of the Order of St. Dominic were those most involved in the inquisition of heretics.
INDENTCf. P. Muller, Jewels in Spain (1972) pl.179 for another badge of the Holy Order of the Inquisition and text which explains how the cross represented the hope of repentance before punishment and the salvation granted on recognition of Christ; the olive branch symbolised peace and the clemency offered to the repentant, and the sword of Justice indicated the severity of punishment meted out to the unrepentant. In 1603 Philip III ordered that this insignia should be worn during public functions by all ministers of the Holy Inquisition, and that women should embroider it on their clothing, but very often the latter wore their 'veneras' or pendant badges instead. Cf. also H.Tait (ed.) 'Jewellery Through 7000 Years (1976) no.304 and A. Somers Cocks (ed), 'Princely Magnificence', Court Jewels of the Renaissance (1980) no. 111

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