Religious discoveries
in The Garden of Adin
in The Garden of Adin
We would like to explain a little bit about the variations in our collection of antique French provincial jewelry. Most of these are inspired by religion, which is not so unexpected given the might of the church in the last centuries. Every province of France had a different type of dress code with specific jewelry for each one. The quality of our collection is truly museum-worthy and yet eminently wearable. Just imagine wearing a piece of jewelry that has seen two or even three turns of centuries.
Croix Boulonnaise
Circa 1770
Circa 1770
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Click on the picture to get to this antique cross.
This type of cross is part of the adornment of wealthy married women along the coast between Boulogne and Dunkirk in France. They are recognised by the shell motifs that evoke pilgrimage to Saint Jacques de Compostelle. The filigree work harks back to it's distant Spanish origin.
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Croix Normande
Circa 1819-1830
Croix Normande
Circa 1819-1830
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Click on the picture to get to this antique cross.
This cross pendant is both a religious symbol and a tool for regional identification. Together with a specific costume it denotes social status too. Size and abundance of materials that compose it reflect the wealth of its wearer.
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Croix Viroles
Circa 1750-1790
Croix Viroles
Circa 1750-1790
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Click on the picture to get to this antique cross.
This cross belongs to the rare group of French Provincial gold cross pendants that were made at the end of the 18th Century (around 1790). It was bought and worn by wealthy provincial French women. These jewels rarely contained diamonds which were mostly used by jewellers for the nobility. This very cross from our collection is depicted in the famous book "Georgian Jewellery 1714-1830" page 152.
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Croix Badinne
Circa 1838-1850
Croix Badinne
Circa 1838-1850
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Click on the picture to get to this antique cross.
This cross was the most typical and traditional cross made in Roussillon in France. Usually tied around the neck with a silk or velvet ribbon. The shape of this jewel was developed by Catalan goldsmiths in the late 17th Century. It was worn in the Empire and Restoration periods, and depicted on the portrait of Elizabeth Campagnac.
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Today, French regional crosses are very rare unlike the variety that existed in the old days. Most of these crosses are now kept in musea or in private collections.
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