Maltese cross in Maastricht exhibition

An exhibition on jewellery was held in Maastricht last week to celebrate the Dutch chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Malta's contribution to the exhibition consisted of an eight centimetre high, 18 carat gold filigree Maltese cross with a .51 carat Marqui-cut diamond set at its centre. The Maltese cross was accompanied by an 18 carat gold chain, with a total weight of 43 grams.

The cross, designed and manufactured by Sterling Jewellers of Valletta, and loaned to the Foreign Ministry for the event, derived its design from the Order of St John and the British colonial period, by fusing the eight pointed Maltese cross of the Order with a symbolism of the British royal crown.