🥇 BANNER Unique early Silversmith Cross

[Relicific]

Yesterday I decided to head back to a woods spot I hunted once before.
I’ve found a couple of musket balls and square nails the last time I went there so I knew this site had potential.

When I dug this cross it was covered in dirt,but I knew it was Silver cause of the signal I got.

It was only when I cleaned it thou that I noticed it was a silversmiths handmade Cross.

No makers mark on it and don’t know the exact age of the Cross,but I love the art work on it.

Well this find surely made my Day.

 

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[Relicific]

I think its probably late 18th C. Very nice example.

Thanks

 

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[pepperj]

It's unique, and has that eye candy appeal to it like all get out. Would look great along the top line of the page, and it's top shelf material in any display case regardless of who's. Congrats on the recovery it's a winner for sure!

 

[Mzjavert]

Looks like it was worn for decades. Had to have been a huge loss. The handmade character is beyond cool. Good job bringing it back to the light.

 

[RVRoamer73]

Excellent !! Congrats to you on a very unique piece.

"B"...

 

[Relicific]

The "death face" at the base of the cross (which may signify Golgotha--the "place of the skull"), was a common feature of tombstones in the mid-1700s. I highly suspect that this crucifix dates to the same time frame.

View attachment 1501498

That’s great information
Thanks

 

[Relicific]

It's unique, and has that eye candy appeal to it like all get out. Would look great along the top line of the page, and it's top shelf material in any display case regardless of who's. Congrats on the recovery it's a winner for sure!

Thanks

 

[DownNDirty]

Fantastic and unique, very early find-big congratulations!

 

[trapperart]

That's a great find. I'm voting banner on it

 

[Argentium]

Here in Santa fe I've seen a lot of variations of this in shops that deal in Spanish colonial religious items. Most of the ones I've seen have come from Mexico and South America . I think 18thC is right , though some may well date back into the 17th . I don't know if these were primarily "trade goods" to smooth things over with the indigenous peoples as the missionaries moved in , or if they were personal devotional pendants for priests, nuns ,monks and the laity .Clearly the symbolism is Catholic - I think the guess of Mary ( Mother of Jesus) is correct . The skull symbol works on several levels , Golgotha " the place of the skull" as mentioned in the Holy Gospels, also Christ's victory over death , and one legend has Christ's crucifiction occurring essentialy on the place of Adam's grave .Sorry for the longwinded rant ,but I think this is a very interesting and banner find !

 

[Rubka888]

I vote banner as well. That is beyond cool!

 

[tinpan]

Hi , By the size and the fact the cross is double sided . The hole in the top is well worn i was thinking that the cross is a Rosary Cross. Has a crude errie style of Americian Hispanic design. Age no idea TP

 

[materdigger1]

That is an awesome find - congrats

 

[Patriot Relics]

I'll be following this one closely, at first glance I was thinking modern interpretation, but man that cross appears to have age. Quite a find and if 17th/18th century banner for sure. Congrats

 

[gwdigger]

The "death face" at the base of the cross (which may signify Golgotha--the "place of the skull"), was a common feature of tombstones in the mid-1700s. I highly suspect that this crucifix dates to the same time frame.

View attachment 1501498

Yes, we have these around here. One site we hunted has this on the grave stones and the oldest grave is 1709. I'd be surprised if the crucifix is much past 1750s.

 

[romeo-1]

Very nice!

 

[Carolina Tom]

That really looks like something special to me. WOW.

Very large congrats sir!

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Absolutely killer find!! I have to agree with the pre-1800 dating, and maybe much earlier.

 

[Relicific]

Absolutely killer find!! I have to agree with the pre-1800 dating, and maybe much earlier.

Thanks Bill

 

[Relicific]

Here in Santa fe I've seen a lot of variations of this in shops that deal in Spanish colonial religious items. Most of the ones I've seen have come from Mexico and South America . I think 18thC is right , though some may well date back into the 17th . I don't know if these were primarily "trade goods" to smooth things over with the indigenous peoples as the missionaries moved in , or if they were personal devotional pendants for priests, nuns ,monks and the laity .Clearly the symbolism is Catholic - I think the guess of Mary ( Mother of Jesus) is correct . The skull symbol works on several levels , Golgotha " the place of the skull" as mentioned in the Holy Gospels, also Christ's victory over death , and one legend has Christ's crucifiction occurring essentialy on the place of Adam's grave .Sorry for the longwinded rant ,but I think this is a very interesting and banner find !

Thanks great info.
Thanks

 

[mindcrime1988]

Amazing find! I bet you're still smiling from digging this out of the ground.