Antique Fossil Rock Cross Pendant, C. 1870

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Description

The Victorians were true discoverers and admirers of the natural world, think Darwin, Audubon and Thoreau. They often used interesting … Read more The Victorians were true discoverers and admirers of the natural world, think Darwin, Audubon and Thoreau. They often used interesting ancient techniques and even materials in their arts and in their jewelry. Here they've used a beautiful bit of stone in the most sincere and natural way, showing off ancient life preserved in stone, long turned to fossil, transformed into something both sacred and striking. This Victorian cross, carved from fossil embedded stone, carries the echoes of a prehistoric world within its intricate natural patterns. Each dark bloom and delicate imprint of long-vanished life, is a testament to the slow artistry of nature itself, now shaped into a powerful symbol of faith and endurance.

Dating to around 1870, this remarkable cross measures 85 mm long, 42.3 mm across, and 7.5 mm thick, with a substantial weight of 24.12 grams. Its surface, polished to a soft sheen, reveals layers of organic detail, locked in stone for millions of years before being re-imagined in Victorian hands. The pendant remains unmarked, its origins shrouded in quiet mystery, yet its presence speaks volumes.

A relic of deep time, this fossilized cross is not just an artifact, it is a meditation on history, faith, and the beauty of nature’s slow and patient craftsmanship. See less