Spanish, circa 1620

mounted with the Greek cross of the Knights of order of Alcántara, the terminals adorned with the cross of the Knights of St John

Overall the condition of the pendant is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are a few very small abrasions to the rock crystal. The vertical bar of rock crystal is made from two sections and is affixed to the horizontal bar under the mounts. There is a small loss to the lower edge of one of the arms of the crucifix, and a hole running through the top of the rock crystal crucifix, presumably for an old mount. There are some small losses to the enameling, mostly to the terminal mounts, including some larger losses to the bottom side of the lower mount. There are also abrasions and losses to the enamel on the finials. There is some minor stable splitting to some of the enamel.
"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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This exceptionally beautiful pendant cross compares with another composed purely of rock crystal with similar gold mounts at the terminals adorned with black and white enamel strapwork decoration in the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid (inv. no. 679). Such pendant crucifixes were very fashionable amongst Spanish elites in the 16th century, and another in the Musée du Louvre, Paris, exhibits the same rich red enamelled finials (inv. no. OA 2314). The green enameled Greek cross at the centre of the pendant is the emblem of the Knights of the Order of Alcántara, a fraternity established in 1166 to defend the region of Extremadura against the Moors. The symbol is very rare in Spanish jewellery, the only other well known example being a pendant in the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid (inv. no. 856). As a member of both the Alcántara and St John orders, the Knight who commissioned this rare pendant must have been of very high social standing. By the late 16th century membership of the order was limited to 37, the most famous of which was Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares (1587-1645), Philip IV's royal favourite.