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Papal cross with hidden space, from the longest reigning pope in history

Two extraordinary characteristics in one piece of antique jewellery: a papal jewel and a hidden space! Finding an original piece of antique jewellery with papal arms is very rare, even for us. And finding one that commemorates a unique situation in papal history is even rarer. The coat of arms on this cross belongs to Pope Pius IX, who was the longest reigning pope in history (31 years).

This unique bishop's cross is made of solid 18K warm yellow gold and bears the papal coat of arms on one side and a Latin text on the other. The Latin text on the back explains that this cross was given to (arch)bishops at the pope's golden episcopal jubilee in 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII).

As the coat of arms is attached to the cross with little golden screws, we decided to carefully open it and discovered a secret compartment! Upon closer examination, we found that it was filled with some darker coloured material (see picture on the description page of this jewel). We did not want to touch it, so we do not know what it is, but we wouldn't be surprised if it were some sort of relic. Normally, we clean all jewellery before offering it for sale, but for obvious reasons, we did not touch this jewel to preserve its original condition.

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Click here to see this intriguing cross.