Museum is seeking to raise £600 to acquire a largely complete silver gilded double sided crucifix pendant dating to the medieval period (c.AD 1400-1550) that was discovered in nearby Hurleston. We plan to display this piece, of which we currently have no other example, alongside other locally discovered finds.
The object is complex and made of multiple pieces of silver. The base object is a flat cross with a rectangular section that has rounded terminals. Each terminal is domed with a moulded fleur-de-lis on the reverse; the front presents a set faceted red stone, possibly a garnet, that is encircled by a twisted silver wire. Atop of the top terminal is a rough break which may indicate a missing suspension loop.
The front of the cross presents a separately soldered cast figure of the crucified Christ, with arms outstretched along the arms of the cross and feet together at the base. His body narrows at the waist and twisted slightly to the right, and his head is tilted and dropped to the left. Above the figure of Christ is an incomplete scroll inscribed with INRI, the abbreviation for the Latin phrase Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum (Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews).
On the reverse is second separately soldered cast figure. The figure is worn but likely represents the Virgin Mary. The figure is cloaked with possible crown about her head indicating her as Mary as Queen of Heaven. In her left arm she appears to be holding Christ as a baby. Above her head and filling the top arm of the cross is an ornamental triangular pediment.
