SPANISH, CIRCA 1630 | Pendant

Overall the condition of the pendant is very good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The rock crystals all appear to be original, though it is conceivable that some of the crystals could have been reset or replaced since some of the rubbed settings are a little open. There are some small lacunae to the rubbed settings. Given the age of the pendant the enamel is in very good condition with few losses. There is general wear to the enamel, some of the translucent enamelled areas (such as the red terminals) are a little dull and worn. There is stable craquelure to the enamelling, particularly the white enamel. There is minor pitting and some impurities in the enamel.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This beautifully preserved 17th-century Spanish Pendant Cross finds a technical and decorative parallel in the Victoria and Albert Museum's Pendant Cross from the treasury of the Cathedral of the Virgin of the Pillar, Zaragoza (inv. no. 345-1870). The V&A pendant is likewise set with clear crystals to the obverse, with arabesques enlivened with red, green and white cloisonné enamelling to the reverse. It takes a different form, being a cross within a crowned garter, but the similarities to the present jewel are confirmed to the reverse. Here again, we see the same dominant white ground with red, white, green and blue cloisonné enamelled vegetal motifs. 

A jewel of similar design to the obverse of the present pendant is seen in a donor double portrait with San Jacobo de la Marca in the Museo Cerralbo, Madrid, published in La joya espanola (op. cit., p. 137). The present jewel finds comparisons in a Pendant Cross, believed to be Spanish, circa 1630, in the Archaeological Museum, Madrid (inv. no. 52.380), and another, centred upon a red garnet to the reverse, from the Rütschi collection, Zurich (published in Joyaux Renaissance, op. cit., no. 58; again catalogued as Spanish circa 1630). Finally, a strong comparison is found in the Spanish, circa 1625-1630, diamond set Pendant Cross of Jerusalem from the collection of Henry Thomas Hope (1808-1862) which was sold in these rooms on 5 July 2017, lot 1 for £112,500 (aggregate; estimate: £50,000-70,000). RELATED LITERATURE
La Joyeria Espanola de Felipe II a Alfonso XIII en Los Estatales, Madrid, 1998, pp. 137-138, no. 85; J. Kugel, Joyaux Renaissance, exh. cat., Kugel, Paris 2000, no. 58; P. Muller, Jewels in Spain 1500-1800, New York, 2012, p. 130, illustrated fig. 218