Wooden cross made of boxwood, No. 23, axe-shaped, with a crucifix, height 3.5 cm | Pectoral cross |

Wooden cross made of boxwood, No. 23, axe-shaped, with a crucifix, height 3.5 cm, with a gaitan, carving on the machine

A pectoral cross or pectorale is a cross that is worn on the chest, usually suspended from the neck by a cord or chain. In ancient and medieval times pectoral crosses were worn by both clergy and laity, but by the end of the Middle Ages the pectoral cross came to be a special indicator of position worn by bishops.

Boxwood (Latin Buxus) — slow-growing evergreen shrubs and trees. The Latin name of the genus comes from Greek. buxe is dense — and indicates the exceptional density and hardness of the wood. In Russia, boxwood grows on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus in gorges and river valleys. The wood of boxwood is the hardest and densest of all found in Europe. The strength of boxwood exceeds hornbeam. Boxwood wood has a uniform matte color from light yellow to waxy color, which darkens little with time. Carved crosses and icons made of boxwood are made on a special durable machine.