The jewelry-obsessed boxer Tyson Fury is preparing a £25,000 bid to preserve the largest gold crucifix in the United Kingdom from being burned down.
The 34-year-old Gypsy King claims he is prepared to purchase the nine-carat, nine-inch-long cross to preserve it from the “scrap heap” and add it to his collection of ostentatious jewelry. Andreo Montanino, age 33, purchased the crucifix chain from Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter in honor of his late grandmother, a devout Roman Catholic who would have considered it sacrilegious to melt down such an item.
When he announced he would be selling it the next month, he believed the’special’ item would draw the attention of religiously outspoken athletes like Fury or Anthony Joshua.
And the heavyweight champion, a Christian, announced on Thursday that he will offer £25,000 to preserve the jewelry when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers.
It is a 9ct gold belcher chain with 28 13mm links, one of which is hallmarked “Sheffield 1997 JH & S,” and it weights a total of 1,145 grams. Fury posted on Instagram, “Don’t know who owns this, but I saw it online.” I will pay £25,000 to save it from the scrap heap.
Hansons Auctioneers retweeted the remark and added, “We are ecstatic that the legendary Tyson Fury may be interested in purchasing this exquisite gold cross and chain to save it from being trashed.”
Helen Smith, head of jewellery at Hansons, stated, “As a devoted Christian, Tyson Fury would be ideal.
Like Andreo’s grandmother, he would appreciate the item’s religious value and symbolism.
Andreo, who is also a senior buyer at Hansons and is from Trowell, Nottinghamshire, said, ‘My grandmother would have been horrified if the chain had been discontinued.
She was a devout Roman Catholic from Italy with a strong religious background.
She thought that objects like these, depicting Jesus on the crucifixion, were sacred and deserving of the highest reverence.
I lost her around eighteen months ago. She was 80 years old. As soon as I saw the cross, she sprang to mind.
“I had to get it for my grandmother. I had to prevent its destruction by melting. I was at the proper location at the proper time.
I discovered it in a bullion establishment where people submit gold to be melted down, and where products are often handled swiftly.
This occurred three months ago. Now I am hoping that putting it up for sale would help me locate someone who will cherish it. It would work nicely if a prominent boxer, such as Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua, wore it around his neck as he entered the ring, due to its uniqueness and status as a showcase.
It is ideal for an athlete, celebrity, or someone from the music industry who enjoys making a bold statement, such as a rapper.
I envision it being featured on a program like MTV’s Cribs or being purchased by a renowned NBA or NFL star.
I sincerely hope it finds a nice home, since it is what my grandmother would have wanted.
She resided in Peterborough and was active in the Italian community and Catholic church.
I recall that she purchased a statue for her church. She placed a premium on religious iconography.
“She was a beautiful grandmother, and as the first of her four grandchildren, I felt obligated to treat her well.”
It would be fascinating to know who initially commissioned the cross. No one I have showed it to has ever witnessed something comparable.
I believe it may be the largest necklace of its sort in the United Kingdom.
Ms. Smith continued, “I have never seen something like this or as large as this before, and it is possible that we may never see anything similar again.”
It is exceptional. The creation of the crucifix’s recognizable religious symbol required enormous chain links and skilled craftsmanship.
“I love that Andreo purchased this to honor his grandmother. It ought to be draped over the neck of a man who succeeds in sports or is a prominent figure.
Gold’s value is increasing at the moment, making it an excellent investment.
It need to be preserved intact, not melted down for scrap. Let’s hope we can preserve it for future generations – and Andreo’s grandmother.’
The heavy cross and chain, which weigh about 1.5kg combined, will be auctioned off by Hansons Auctioneers on September 22.