1715 Shipwreck Fleet High Karat Yellow Gold Amethyst Bishop’s Cross Our Lady Of Guadalupe

Described & Photographed By: Dillon CNX 1603 8089

Title: 1715 Shipwreck Fleet High Karat Yellow Gold Amethyst Bishop’s Cross Our Lady Of Guadalupe

Description: This high karat gold cross set with amethysts was salvaged from the wreck site of the Spanish Treasure Flotilla where, on July 31, 1715, the heavily laden Flotilla was lost in a raging hurricane off the east coast of Florida. Some seven hundred people perished with tons of gold, silver, and other precious cargo lost to the sea. After more than 300 years of being submerged at the bottom of the Atlantic off the east coast of Florida, the sea managed to take three out of the six amethysts set within the cross. Continue reading to learn more about the cross, it’s history, and how it got to be where it is today. Background: The current owner, an investor in Mel Fisher’s salvage company, bought the Bishop’s Cross directly from Mel Fisher’s Key West museum in 2010. He is the only private owner of the cross. The last appraisal done in 2010 by Mel Fisher valued it at $23,000. It is 22kt, 6.4g wt. (The sea took 3 stones in its almost 300 submerged years off the east coast of Florida). Historical Significance: This unique, one-of-a-kind, gold cross from the 1715 Plate Fleet wreck may have been made for Spain’s assigned Bishop of Mexico, Archbishop Ortega De Montañez. This possibility is supported by some correlated evidence. 1. The cross is topped by a hook, not a loop which almost all other wreck crosses have. The cross’s hook appears too shallow to securely hold the cross while being worn on a garment or on a chain. That could signify that the cross was made as a personal gift or used for display purposes rather than for routine wear. 2. The cross’s hook appears representative of a Bishop’s staff (crozier). In support of this observation the cross’s amethyst stones, unlike most other crosses’ emeralds, are notable because amethyst is known as the “Bishop’s stone” in the Catholic Church. Per wiki website: "Amethyst is still called the bishop’s gemstone in the Roman Catholic Church and is worn by the highest ranks of the clergy". (Source: https://www.wikigempedia.com/amethyst-meaning.html) Significance of “Floral” Design on Cross Reverse: At the center of the cross’s reverse is a 4-pedal flower. The historical and religious significance of that detail was just discovered in 2023. Remarkably, that 4-pedal flower exactly matches the 4 pedal jasmine flower from the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. {The image of Our Lady was unexplainably (miraculously) imprinted on indigenous peasant Juan Diego’s tilma (fragile cactus-fabric cloak) in 1531 and remains on display in Mexico City in a specially built basilica. Today, the basilica housing the Our Lady of Guadalupe tilma is the largest religious pilgrimage site in the Americas where an estimated 10 million people visit annually.} That 4-pedal flower is the only one of its kind on the 1531 tilma and is centered over Mary's abdomen. That particular flower signified to the native Aztecs that Mary was pregnant with a Deity. That correlation, so significant for the Aztecs, but unknown to the Spanish at the time, was a primary factor in the Aztecs’ conversion to Catholicism and the likely reason why that flower specifically is at the center of the cross’s reverse. What’s the Possible Connection? The cross’s hook and amethyst stone attributes appear to be designed for a Catholic bishop. The cross’s 4-pedal jasmine flower, identical to the 1531 tilma, is a tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Combined, these elements might lead one to seek a New World bishop that was closely associated with Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Bishops in Mexico. Interestingly, there is a complete list of Spanish appointed archbishops of Mexico. This cross may have been made for the 18th bishop, Don Juan Ortega y Montañés. This is possible because (a) he served in a period shortly before the 1715 Plate Fleet sailed but more notably, (b) he “was distinguished for his devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron of Mexico, whose church was finished under this administration (1702). The archbishop personally toured, asking for alms to support the construction.” Where was the cross made? We don’t know exactly. But there are clues that indicate the cross was likely made in Mexico City where the bishop himself resided. For instance, the cross has fleur de-lis details at each of cross ends. Those lily flowers signify Mary whose (miraculous) image was nearby. But the pattern of fleur de-lis flowers on cross end-sides along with sunlight rays emanating from the center of the cross is also consistent with crosses made in Mexico City. Historical Context: How was a cross conceivably made for the Archbishop of Mexico on its way to Spain aboard a ship that came from South America? The path and timeline of the 1715 Plate Fleet may provide an answer to (a) how a cross from Mexico City, the location of the Spanish gold mint, was on board while (b) an excerpt translated from Spanish records might provide the personal basis why this particular cross was going to Spain.

Here are the specifications:

Gemstones: Amethyst

Approx. Measurement Weight of Stone: Top stone: 5mm x 4.4mm Side stone: 5mm x 3.5mm Bottom stone: 5.5mm x 5.5mm

Mounting metal: Yellow Gold; The metal tested around 70% gold and 20-25% silver.

Approx. Size or length: 1-1/2 in x 1 in

Condition: Preowned with minimal wear overall. Three of the amethyst stones appear to be missing from their mountings. See photos for details.

Total weight of piece: 6.36 grams

Estimated size of package: 9 x 6 x 3

Estimated weight of package: 1 pound

Other Shipping Info:Zip Code 33701 CALCULATE SHIPPING COSTS HERE

Important Info:Commonly Asked Questions