Nasrani Cross & Floury Cross

Flowery Indian cross necklace – handmade and recycled silver 100 year old sterling silver Florin

Amongst the oldest Christian communities of the world.  Saint Thomas Christian crosses are an ancient cross symbol that belonged to the original community of Saint Thomas Christians of India, who trace their origins to the evangelistic activity of St Thomas the apostle in the 1st century.  aka Mar Thoma Sleeva (Saint Thomas Cross).

Unlike crosses in other traditions, the St. Thomas Cross does not carry the effigy of the Christ. In addition to this unique quality, each of its elements carry symbolic meanings. The Cross symbolises life rather than death and suffering.  The four edges of the cross are floral in shape, symbolising fruition and life from the tree of life.    The lotus flower on the cross is a symbol of India. A cultural adaptation of local imagery, the cross fixed on the lotus would symbolize Christianity in India in the first century. The lotus is also a Puranic holy flower, anything offered on the leaves of lotus is considered to be auspicious.

I have lovingly crafted each cross pendant from a 100 year old silver florin.  For instance, the one above is over a century old, created in 1902.  The coins themselves are the perfect medium for this beautiful design, inline with a love of nature using these coins is the perfect ethical and green solution. No new silver is destructively ‘mined’ and old, uncollectible pure silver coins are saved from the ‘melting pot’ of bullion merchants. This protects their history and ensures their stories live on.

Once the design is freehand sketched on to the coin, it is hand cut and carved using traditional hand saws, chisels and files. This traditional process allows me to have a close connection to each piece. This also gives the added bonus of each piece being completely unique.  Each cross is individually handmade and recycled in Cambridge, England.

Size : Approx 24 mm * 17 mm

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