Saxon Masterpiece - Ancient Anglo Saxon 6th - 7th Century Gold & Garnet Cross Pendant (PGP206)

Saxon Masterpiece - Ancient Anglo Saxon 6th-7th Century Gold & Garnet Cross Pendant.  I am very proud to offer to my special Rarities clientele this amazing piece of history. It is comprised of a high carat gold 24K - 22K , and hand cut garnets.  The cross is beautifully rendered, and displays wonderful original deep red wine garnets from India. Very small garnets were from the Czech Republic and larger ones (as in this particular example)were from the Indian subcontinent.  These Anglo Saxon crosses are rare, and this magnificent piece is important due to the age and the condition.  In the 4th century the Saxons came to England after the Romans had left to defend Rome from the Barbarians. The Saxons were pagans when they came to Britain, however as time passed they gradually converted to Christianity. This cross was completely hand-crafted within the 6th-7th century, therefore is considered to be an important historical piece. The cross has a fantastic bold shape set with garnets(a characteristic seen in Anglo Saxon jewelry) and was most likely worn by an Anglo Saxon warrior in battle, who had a military weapon (a secret weapon of religion on his side). The cross also displays a beautiful grooved circular gold disc, which surrounds the central round garnet. The central portion is flanked by hand-cut (ground on a wheel) sculpted garnets, which are inset in the gold chambers to form the cross.  The bale is original to the piece, and it is recommended by museums that the original patina of the gold is left untouched. The cross has been matched up with a vintage 10K gold curb chain, which looks perfect with cross. The cross can be worn with the chain and with a leather cord.  If you are intrigued by British history, the Anglo Saxon era , and beautiful rare jewels, then don't pass this one up. These type of Anglo Saxon antiquities rarely come up for sale, especially in this fine condition.

Note: Contemporary appraisal do not reflect the value of antiquities. It is highly recommended that this piece is insured for $6000.00 CD (Tax Excluded) 

History: Patrick was a 5th-century missionary to Ireland and later served as bishop there. He is credited with bringing Christianity to parts of Ireland and was probably partly responsible for the Christianization of the Picts and Anglo-Saxons. He is one of the patron saints of Ireland.

Pope Gregory I (590–604) sent a group of missionaries to the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, led by Augustine, who became the first archbishop of Canterbury. They arrived in Kent in 597 and converted King Æthelberht (died 616) and his court. Irish missionaries also helped convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity.

Sutton Hoo is England's Valley of the Kings, and the Anglo-Saxon ship burial found in the King's Mound is the richest burial ever found in northern Europe. 1,400 years ago, a king or great warrior of East Anglia was laid to rest in a 90ft ship, surrounded by his extraordinary treasures.

The Staffordshire Hoard is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork yet found. It consists of almost 4,600 items and metal fragments, amounting to a total of 5.1 kg of gold, 1.4 kg of silver and some 3,500 pieces of garnet cloisonné jewellery.

See photos below of a similar shaped Anglo Saxon gold garnet crosses. The first one was found in the Staffordshire Hoard and the second example was sold in 2019 in Britain.

Measurements: Cross 32.50 mm x 27.00 mm    Chain 20" 

Stone Size: Garnets (round) 5.00 mm   Garnets (Sculpted) 8.00 mm x 7.00 mm 

Weight: Cross 6.30 grams    Chain: 3.00 grams 

Condition: Excellent  Note: Very fine condition 

Origin: England    Provenance: Private German Collector in the 1980s

Date: 6th - 7th century