Hampton“s design chosen for Ore. Episcopal bishop“s cross
From our weekly issue dated April 14, 2010
The design, wrought in silver, features gemstones representing the entire state of Oregon. (Photos by Gabrielle Hampton)
Gabrielle Hampton, co-owner of Hampton“s Rock Shop in Kerby, submitted the winning design of the pectoral cross for the new Episcopal Tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Oregon, the Rev. Michael Hanley.
Rev. Hanley was ordained and consecrated as Bishop on April 10 in Eugene. Gabrielle hand-fabricated her design and attended the ordination to present the cross.
Hampton, a Southern Oregon Guild member, designed the bishop“s cross to represent all Oregon. More of Gabrielle Hampton“s work can be seen at Hampton“s Rock Shop, on the corner of Redwood Hwy. and Finch Road in Kerby.
The stones chosen for the cross came from all areas of the state, with the exception of the amethyst in the center, which was chosen for its color to represent the office of the bishop.
The style of the cross was inspired by the Crux gemmata (Latin for “jeweled cross“) which was a typical style depicted in Early Christian and Early Medieval art, where the cross on its front side was principally decorated with jewels.
The Bishop“s Cross shares its shape with The Cross of Lothair (ca. 1000 A.D.) and with the image of the cross on the apse mosiac at the Basilica of Sant“ Apollinare in Classe, Ravennna (549 A.D.).
The Bishop“s Cross measures 8.3cm across and 12.3cm in length and is made in sterling and fine silver. The stones in the cross are cut en cabochon (a precious stone cut in a convex shape that is polished and not faceted).
Starting with the stones from the top, they are Holley blue agate from Holley; fortification agate cut from the state of Oregon rock, the thunder egg from Antelope; amethyst; polka-dot jasper from central Oregon; Oregon sunstone, the state“s gemstone, from near Plush; carnelian from near Sweet Home, and red jasper, which is common throughout the state.
On the left side of the cross is petrified wood, also common around the state, and plume agate from near Post. On the right side of the cross is picture jasper from Eastern Oregon and moss agate from Southern Oregon.
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