Pope Benedict XVI

The state gift

Hand cut and glued clear crystal decorated with 636 Czech garnets, height 50 cm. Manufactured: MOSER, a.s. and Družstvo Granát Turnov.

The state gift in the form of a crystal cross was handed over by Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Jan Fischer to the Pope Benedict XVI.

The cross is inspired by sacred architecture, symbolizing church construction. The internal garnet bar evokes temple stained glass windows through which daylight passes. The whole object is built on precise geometry and perfect glass optics.