Realms Of Gold The Novel: The Staffordshire Hoard: Pectoral cross

The Staffordshire Hoard: Pectoral cross

A pectoral cross or pectorale (from the Latin pectoralis: 'of the chest') is a cross, usually relatively large, suspended from the neck by a cord or chain that reaches well down the chest.

It would have been worn by senior clergy (bishops and abbots) as a sign of their office, or by wealthy Christian lay people.

Pendant cross with expanded arms and central flat top cabochon stone, the stone is red and presumed garnet.

The top arm is detached, torn rather than a deliberate cut. The decoration goes from the front over the loop and finishes on the back.

This damaged area shows that the arms may have been added to the central area and soldered in position.

The main cross has three other arms with a circular filigree pattern with twisted wire work edging. The left arm has been bent upwards and inwards.

The central garnet is set in the gold, which has decorative twisted wire

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Terry Stanfill, born in West Haven, Connecticut, is a first generation American of Italian descent. She received a degree in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Connecticut.

For her efforts in raising funds for the restoration of San Pietro di Castello, the ancient cathedral of Venice, the President of Italy honored her with the Ordine al Merito, Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana, and Commendatore. She is Vice President Emerita of Save Venice, Inc, and was founder of The California Chapter of Save Venice, Inc.

Terry Stanfill is a founding director and Life Trustee of Los Angeles Opera. She is a Governor Emerita of the board of The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California as well as a Reader, her subject of research, the Normans in Southern Italy and Sicily in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries inspired her to write her first novel, The Blood Remembers.

Terry is married to Dennis Stanfill, former CEO of Twentieth Century Fox, and MGM.

Their daughter Francesca Stanfill Nye, is a novelist and journalist.

Their son, Dennis, is partner and managing director of HBDesign, Singapore.

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The images you'll see as you scroll down to the current text are all part of the story telling in my novel, Realms of Gold:Ritual to Romance.

Bianca Caldwell, pen name, Bianca Fiore, is a writer for an art magazine. In each of her monthly stories she describes an object used in ancient ritual.

The Staffordshire Hoard: Pectoral cross