found at Threave Castle, Kirkcudbrightshire
Add to albumThis silver-gilt cross was found at Threave Castle in Kirkcudbrightshire. It dates from the 15th century.
The Maltese cross is decorated with quatrefoils and trefoils. At the top is a suspension loop for a chain and at the end of each of the other arms are short spikes, probably meant for securing precious stones. The cross is hollow.
The cross probably originally contained a relic like a piece of the true cross or the piece of stone from Calvary contained in a similar reliquary cross from Clare Castle in Suffolk.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-100-000-326-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland H.KE 3
- Date: 15th century
- Material: Silver gilt
Reliquary / locket
- Dimensions: 42 mm x 30 mm x 6 mm
- What: Reliquary / locket
- Subject: Crucifixes, reliquaries (NMAS Classification)
- Who:
- Where: Scotland, Kirkcudbrightshire, Threave Castle
- Event:
- Description: Silver gilt reliquary in the form of a locket, shaped like a Maltese Cross, from Threave Castle, Kirkcudbrightshire, 15th century
- References:
- Caldwell, D. H. (ed). Angels, Nobles and Unicorns: Art and Patronage in Medieval Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1982
- Translations:
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