St. Petersburg, circa 1885
The 14K gold cross is of a traditional Russian orthodox shape but the abbreviation on the upper arm of the cross is in Latin ‘INRI’, meaning ‘ Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum ‘ (Jesus Nazarene King of the Jews). The center is engraved with a halo of rays of light flanked by rococo scrolls. The lower arm of the cross is engraved with a Russian folk design.
Marked on the back with 56 zolotnik old Russian gold standard, St. Petersburg assay mark, and maker’s initials ‘PB’ for for Rudolf Weide, a prominent jeweller of the period who specialized in gold cross pendants.
The cross measures (without suspension ring) 44 x 27 mm (1 11/16 x 1 1/16 in.)
