A Nottinghamshire man has bought the 'UK's biggest' gold cross and chain and hopes that world heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury can save it from being scrapped. Andreo Montanino bought the item in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter for his nan after spotting it in the window of a bullion dealer.
Mr Montanino lost his grandmother 18 months ago and couldn't bear to see the jewellery melted down. The giant gold crucifix and chain, which is thought to be the biggest in the UK, will now go to auction and is expected to raise £30,000. The heavy item weighs 1.5 kg and will be up for auction on Thursday, September 22.
The 9ct gold belcher chain has 28 13mm links, one hallmarked ‘Sheffield 1997 JH & S’. The 9ct gold crucifix is 316.7gms and 21cm in length, longer than an average adult male hand which is 19.3cm or 7.6ins.
Read more: Updates as Nottinghamshire town flooded amid major disruption
Mr Montanino, who is 33 and from Trowell, said: “My nan would have hated that [the jewellery melted down]. She was highly religious, a Roman Catholic who originated from Italy. She believed items like this, Jesus on the cross, was sacred and should be treated with the utmost respect."
Mr Montanino added: “I lost her about 18 months ago. She was in her 80s. As soon as I saw that cross, it reminded me of her. I had to buy it for nan. I had to save it from being melted down. I was in the right place at the right time. I found it at a bullion place where people send gold to be scrapped and items are usually processed quickly."
He bought the item around three months ago and believes it should be bought by someone like Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King, who could wear it to wear out of the boxing ring.
Fury announced his retirement from the ring after failing to reach an agreement to fight Derek Chisora for a third time. The WBC have given Fury until August 26 to confirm his future plans. This date comes a matter of days after Anthony Joshua's rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday (August 20).
Mr Montanino said: “I hope bringing it to auction will help me find someone who will treasure it. Because it’s so special, a showpiece, it would work well if it was worn around the neck of a famous boxer on the walkout to the ring, someone like Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua.
“It’s perfect for a sportsman, celebrity or someone from the music world who likes to make a big statement, perhaps a rapper. I see it featured on a program like MTV’s Cribs or being bought by a famous basketball or NFL (National Football League) player."
He hopes that the chain will find a good home because that is what his nan, who lived in Peterborough, would have wanted. She was heavily involved with the Italian community and was religious.
“She was a wonderful nan and as the first of her four grandchildren, I had to do right by her. It would be interesting to know who commissioned the cross originally. No one I have shown it to has ever seen anything like it before. I think it could be the biggest necklace of its kind in the UK,” Mr Montanino said.
Helen Smith, head of jewellery at Hanson's, said: “I have never seen anything like this, or as big as this, before and we might not see anything like it again. It’s extra special. The chain links are huge and quality workmanship has gone into creating the iconic religious imagery of the crucifix.
“I love that Andreo bought this to honour his nan. It certainly deserves to go around the neck of a man who excels in sports or an important celebrity. It’s really heavy so, if you plan to wear it for any length of time, you need to be strong. Tyson Fury would be perfect as he is a devout Christian. Like Andreo’s nan, he would appreciate the religious significance and symbolism of the item."
Read next:
'Mutterings of a 3-day week' in schools cost of living impact
- Nottingham Forest transfer news LIVE: Warning sent, Chelsea talks, Neal Maupay competition
- England Women's goalie Mary Earps celebrated by murals in Nottingham
- Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh dies aged 41
- The latest What's On News from Nottinghamshire Live
