From the ugliest to the prettiest.

[WHADIFIND]

I went out today and mostly just got the usual. But one item really stood out.

Before I get to that, here's a couple other interesting finds.



Just a fairly modern token.



I was more impressed by my hearing this little cross than what it might be.
It has a screw on backing.



Then, there was this one.



Or should I say three? '44, '46, 50 But that's not all, they were all in the same hole! LOL

And that brings me to this last one. There's a little story behind this one. I was winding down and started looking for my "exit find". I always try to leave on a positive note. As I was going I was continuing my communing with nature and talking with the Lord as I always do. (Hopefully, I'm still just talking in my head. LOL ) Anyway, I digress.

I was just saying, "Ok, Lord, what will be the exit sign today?" Then I got a decent penny hit and said that's fine. I'll be happy to leave on a penny. But, as soon as I dug I saw the foillowing:



All I saw was a rather plain looking back of a crucifix but that was fine too. It looked like silver but I didn't care. Sure seemed like an answer to me! I knocked a little more dirt off and uncovered more of the back. Still fine. When I turned it over I actually said, yuck! LOL



I thought maybe it would look better in the waning sunlight. So, I took another.



I said, "YUCK! That's the UGLIEST crucifix I ever saw! But Ok Lord! Good nuff fer me!"

When I got it home I was rinsing it off and trying to see if there was a sterling stamp on the back.



Nope. But, imagine my surprise when I turned it over and really saw the front for the first time!



I just have to say, this is the PRETTIEST thing I have ever found! Intrinsic value of this one means nothing to me.




Over all, nice day, nice hunt and a beautiful find!

Here's everything together.




Hope my little story was enjoyable.

Thanks for peeking!

HH!

 

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[the bone]

that really is a pretty and ornate cross someone put some time into that one congrats and HH.

 

[TNGUNS]

Love the cross. Elaborate little thing. Congrats.

 

[detectahead]

Enjoyed the story and definitely a nice find !! Congrats

 

[CRUSADER]

The cross may be made in Italy.

 

[leprechaun]

Awesome finds, It really is a beautiful cross.

 

[Iskuli]

Just beautiful

 

[Bavaria Mike]

I've found many crosses but never one with such beautiful detail, awesome! The other finds are nice too. HH, Mike

 

[aRustyPatina]

Your cross is a micro mosaic piece. Typically originating from Italy. The pieces are made of beads of glass. They also are made the same way but the pieces are fired and those are known as millefiori. Back in the 90's I worked in antiques and would typically sell something like yours for between 45.00 to 100.00 bucks. Great find!

 

[jewelerguy]

that is really cool

 

[coinhound]

What an impressive little piece. I was with you ( very ugly ) until I moved down to the last two photos. Tell me that the Lord doesn't work in mysterious ways. You never know where the next road will lead. Happy swinging.

Coinhound

 

[WHADIFIND]

Your cross is a micro mosaic piece. Typically originating from Italy. The pieces are made of beads of glass. They also are made the same way but the pieces are fired and those are known as millefiori. Back in the 90's I worked in antiques and would typically sell something like yours for between 45.00 to 100.00 bucks. Great find!

Why thank you! That's very nice information to have on this piece. Can you answer a couple other questions? Like what age would this tend to be from and how was it constructed? Is it a base metal that's painted/coated/plated? Then, what? Did someone actually carve this out and place each individual bead? I am VERY impressed with the effort that appears to have gone into this.

Thanks again!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Thanks to everyone for all the responses.

Just wanted to share a little piece of beauty.

HH!

 

[aRustyPatina]

They are still produced. This one is probably say 1960's give or take ten years. Kinda hard to say without holding it. I'm thinking that range as they where sterling framed earlier. The beads where made when the glass was molten/formed. Hard to explain. If you look on YouTube you should see how they make millefiori beads. That's about the best way to see how they are made. My wife saw yours and now wants me to find one. That's a really slim chance in Texas. Italy might be a possibility.

 

[ragu]

Cool story, VERY cool find... I also said yuck when I first saw it, could hardly believe it was the same cross!

 

[WHADIFIND]

They are still produced. This one is probably say 1960's give or take ten years. Kinda hard to say without holding it. I'm thinking that range as they where sterling framed earlier. The beads where made when the glass was molten/formed. Hard to explain. If you look on YouTube you should see how they make millefiori beads. That's about the best way to see how they are made. My wife saw yours and now wants me to find one. That's a really slim chance in Texas. Italy might be a possibility.

Yeah, actually I did do a little more research after reading your other post. They are a really neat art form. Even with the knowledge of how these are made, this one REALLY seems like a LOT of work went into it's creation. I'm not surprised your wife wants one, I really love this little piece!

Thanks again!

HH!