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Antique Sterling Silver Trench Art Florin Cross Pendant Necklace, 25"

antique-sterling-silver-trench-art-florin-cross-pendant
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A wonderful antique Florin cross pendant from the Victorian era, mid to late 19th century! Made of sterling silver the piece started it's life out as a British shilling coin, aka florin, and was likely a trench art creation during the WW1 period - cleverly upcycled and converted by a soldier into a ...Read more
AUD $ 235.00

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A wonderful antique Florin cross pendant from the Victorian era, mid to late 19th century! Made of sterling silver the piece started it's life out as a British shilling coin, aka florin, and was likely a trench art creation during the WW1 period - cleverly upcycled and converted by a soldier into a sentimental and decorative piece of jewellery! The alluring piece bears the four crowned shields arranged to form a cross about a quatrefoil at the centre, the shields bear the arms of England (three lions), Scotland (lion rampant) and Ireland (harp). The florin back has been polished out and is plain. The left and right ends are depicting crown 'budded' outlines, whilst the top and bottom ends of the cross have a pattée (aka iron cross) style with milled edging remnants. Germany has a long history with the cross pattée, and the design is likely to convey a sentiment to the maker at the time. In keeping with the trench art, the piece is finished with a hole at the top with a 'rustic' handmade jump ring … adding a somewhat Medieval look! The cross suspends from a 25" long sterling silver box-link necklace, the two complement nicely.

Trench art is the general term given to decorative items made by soldiers, prisoners of war, or civilians, during a war.

The florin was also known as the "Gothic florin" because of the use of Gothic lettering (although in this case has been carved out to form the cross). Made from 92.5% silver, the florin was introduced in 1849 as the first move towards decimalisation of the British coinage. It was 1/10th of a pound or 2 shillings.

A unique, yet attractive antique cross with an abundance of history and sentiment. Perfect for any trench art collector, or a cross lover!