AN IMPRESSIVE EMERALD AND DIAMOND-SET CRUCIFORM PENDANT, MID 19TH CENTURY

AN IMPRESSIVE EMERALD AND DIAMOND-SET CRUCIFORM PENDANT, MID 19TH CENTURY, applied with emerald-cut emeralds in closed-back settings, centring on a cabochon emerald within a diamond-set border, to a textured ground within a scrolling foliate border, inscribed to the reverse 'GEORGE CARDINAL MUNDELEIN TO BISHOP WILLIAM D. O'BRIEN, APRIL 25TH 1934', in yellow gold, length 14cm, width 7.8cm, gross weight 85.5g

Believed to be presented by His Eminence George Mundelein, Cardinal, Archbishop of Chicago, to Bishop William David O'Brien on the occasion of his episcopal consecration on April 25th 1934.

Rev. William David O'Brien was appointed as auxiliary bishop of Chicago and titular bishop of Calynda by Pope Pius XI on 10th February 1934. Following his appointment the above pendant was presented to O'Brien by Cardinal George Mundelein at his consecration at Holy Name Cathedral. In 1953, O'Brien was elevated to the rank of titular archbishop of Calynda by Pope Pius XII.