An Early Hand Held Spanish Colonial Cross, Maltese Type

Unknown

late 18th to early 19th century | Steel | Item 2121

This is a beautiful steel cross to be held in the hand most likely by clergy. The internal design work is copied on both sides. The Maltese type cross ends on the three tips with a trifoliate design. The very center has an X in it. The shank, or handle, develops as an elongated triangle coming off the the cross center creating a beautiful and sleek raised point. The handle portion is denoted on both ends with 4 cuts that go all the way around. The bottom is a square with a cross inscribed inside it and eight small circles with a dot in the center lining the square. The very end has a short tail imitating the juncture of the square with the handle.