Spansh, circa 1620, Pendant Crucifix. Photo Sotheby's

mounted with the Greek cross of the Knights of order of Alcántara, the terminals adorned with the cross of the Knights of St John, rock crystal, with enamelled gold mounts, 8.7cm., 3 3/8 in. overall. Estimation 6,000 — 8,000 GBP - Unsold

This exceptionally beautiful pendant cross compares with another composed purely of rock crystal with similar gold mounts at the terminals adorned with black and white enamel strapwork decoration in the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid (inv. no. 679). Such pendant crucifixes were very fashionable amongst Spanish elites in the 16th century, and another in the Musée du Louvre, Paris, exhibits the same rich red enamelled finials (inv. no. OA 2314). The green enameled Greek cross at the centre of the pendant is the emblem of the Knights of the Order of Alcántara, a fraternity established in 1166 to defend the region of Extremadura against the Moors. The symbol is very rare in Spanish jewellery, the only other well known example being a pendant in the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid (inv. no. 856). As a member of both the Alcántara and St John orders, the Knight who commissioned this rare pendant must have been of very high social standing. By the late 16th century membership of the order was limited to 37, the most famous of which was Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares (1587-1645), Philip IV's royal favourite.

Sotheby's. Old Master Sculpture and Works of Art. London | 10 juil. 2014 -www.sothebys.com