English, second quarter 16th century

engraved with the Instruments of the Passion on the reverse and inscribed: WYLT THOV NOT SVFFER AND FROM SYNNE FLY IF SYNNE CAVSE THYS FOR THE I DYE along the sides

Private collection, United Kingdom, before 1930-2010

Overall the condition of the gold is good. There is wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age and handling with some particular rubbing to the corners. Christ has a small hole at his chest. There are small stable fissures to both wrists. There are losses to the enamel in the letters. The cross opens on the reverse. The lid has been restored with solder at the hinge and halfway the lower arm because of which it currently does not open. A stone is lost from the feet of Christ. The stones on the reverse and under the feet of Christ are probably replaced and possiblly also those on the side terminals. The loops on top are probably later. The case has wear and discolouration throughout and a moisture stain on the inside of the left door.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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The front of the pendant cross is keyed for enamel beneath the figure of Christ to simulate the texture of wood.  The  hinged back which would  have contained a relic was also formerly enamelled and is engraved with the symbols of the Passion. Compare the corpus with that on Sir Thomas More's crucifix belonging to Stonyhurst College illustrated by Tait.  The presence of an inscription in English on Renaissance pendant jewels is rare but is found on a group of pieces, for the main part hat badges and girdle prayer books which are believed  to be from a London workshop producing between 1520 and 1560; note in particular the hat badge in the British Museum which depicts Christ and the woman of Samaria illustrated by Tait (op.cit.). As the religious upheavals of the English reformation in 1537 banned the devotion of relics it is suggested that this reliquary crucifix pendant could predate this by a few years.

RELATED LITERATURE
H.Tait, 'An Anonymous Loan to the British Museum 1: Renaissance Jewellery', Connoisseur, November 1963, p.147, fig.1; Y.Hackenbroch, 'Two relics of Sir Thomas More', Connoisseur, January 1977, p. 43; Y.Hackenbroch, Renaissance Jewellery, New York, 1979, pp. 279-281