Mastery of Design: The Spanish Inquisition Emerald Egg, 1620-30

Pendant of Emerald and Enameled Gold
Spain 1620-1630
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s a wild bit of Seventeenth Century Spanish weirdness.  It’s incredibly beautiful and made of the world’s finest materials, yet also, a startling reminder of the Spanish Inquisition.  

Made in Spain around 1620 to 1630, this egg-shaped emerald drop is encased in enameled gold.  The black and white cross that we see here is that of the Roman Catholic Dominican order. The enameled green cross on the back symbolizes the hope of repentance before punishment.  This is flanked by an olive branch of reconciliation and a sword of punishment.

A penitent would have worn this pendant to show piety and agreement with the policies of the Inquisition in the suppression of heresy.