Hanger in de vorm van een kruis c. 1618 - 1619

This is an engraving of a cross-shaped pendant by Pierre Nolin. The piece offers a fascinating look into the intersection of religious symbolism, fashion, and personal identity. Religious jewelry often carries deep personal significance, representing faith, protection, and belonging. However, it also functions as a signifier within broader cultural and social contexts. Consider how the wearing of a cross could be a public declaration of faith, a subtle expression of identity, or even a form of resistance. The design, intricate and ornamental, speaks to a culture of adornment where even sacred symbols are subject to aesthetic trends. How does this piece reflect a societal tension between religious devotion and material culture? The image invites us to consider how objects of faith become entangled with personal expression and social identity.