Antique Jerusalem Cross

This is a beautiful and intricately made Jerusalem Cross. It has exquisite filigree work and is made even more beautiful by the large central amethyst stone. It’s clearly marked on the back for 950 grade silver (English sterling grade is 925). ​The Jerusalem cross consists of a large center cross with four smaller Greek crosses (a cross with four equal arms, similar to a plus sign) in each quadrant. Also known as the Crusader cross, the Jerusalem cross dates back to the 11th and 12th century when the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, establishing Christianity in the area. One of the leaders of the Crusades, Godfrey de Bouillon, was the first to use the Jerusalem Cross as a distinct symbol of the new Crusader state, known as the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. De Bouillon believed that the cross symbolized Jesus Christ and the city of Jerusalem which is the root of Christianity.