Lot Essay
This pendant may originally have been enamelled in the areas with cross hatching, and would certainly have been adorned with jewels, possibly pearls, at the ends of three of the arms. It would therefore have been a suitably rich jewel in which to house a relic, possibly of the True Cross, around the neck of the owner.
It is difficult to ascertain a country of origin for the cross, although the traditional provenance of the noble family of Saint-Maur may indicate Belgium. The openwork 'S' found on each arm does not necessarily limit the possibilities; although the best-known use of the 'S' is in relation to the English House of Lancaster, it was, in fact, a fairly widely used motif.
It is difficult to ascertain a country of origin for the cross, although the traditional provenance of the noble family of Saint-Maur may indicate Belgium. The openwork 'S' found on each arm does not necessarily limit the possibilities; although the best-known use of the 'S' is in relation to the English House of Lancaster, it was, in fact, a fairly widely used motif.