Few objects in fine jewelry carry the weight of meaning that a cross does — and fewer still are executed with the artisanship and prestige of this extraordinary example, made by the celebrated maker J. Schwabe for Cartier in the 1960s. Coming from a European family collection, this is a piece with soul, history, and provenance that transcends the purely decorative.

Crafted entirely in warm 18K yellow gold, the Greek Baptismal Cross is rendered in an intricate, lace-like openwork construction — a technically demanding technique that requires exceptional skill to execute at this scale. The textured gold work catches and reflects light through every open cavity, giving the cross a living, organic quality that feels both ancient and thoroughly modern. Signed, numbered, and stamped for 18K gold, its authenticity is beyond question.

This is the rarest kind of collectible — a deeply meaningful object of faith, rendered by a master maker for the greatest jewelry house in the world, and preserved within a European family for decades. Whether worn as a pendant, pinned as a brooch, or displayed as a devotional object, it is a once-in-a-lifetime find that belongs in a serious collection.

Item: Brooch/Pendant
Brand (Maker): Cartier (J. Schwabe)
Period: Vintage (Circa 1960s)
Dimensions: 4 7/10 x 3 1/10 in.
Material(s): Gold
Metal: 18K Yellow Gold (750)
Gross Weight: ~68 g
Estimated Weight (Diamonds): Not Applicable
Source/Origin (Diamonds): Not Applicable
Enhancement (Diamonds): Not Applicable
Provenance: European Family
Report(s): None on File

For more information and media, kindly contact us.