Antique Georgian Cross Paste Gold Pendant

The Georgian Era saw quite a few upheavals in fashion and culture in its 100 + year history. While fashion influenced jewelry design, and different gems saw their popularity rise and fall, one constant throughout was the cross. Both a sign of ones faith and devotion, the cross was also fully a part of the fashion of the times. For most it was a part of their daily wear. Depending on social status and wealth, one might own a gem set cross, an unadorned cross of gold, silver or even one carved from agate or jet. For those special occasions though, if one were of a certain status in Georgian society, there were crosses that were almost as much a celebration of a jeweler's skill and inspiration as they were a celebration of the divine. Inspired by the beauty of the natural world, the end of this era saw intricate designs, with metal smiths using twisted gold wire in foliate designs called cannetille work. With an emphasis on intricacy and exquisite detail, this style choice made to celebra