Claddagh and Knotwork Pendant

Featuring both a Claddagh and Celtic knotwork this sterling silver pendant carries a lot of meaning. The Claddagh is the most beloved of Irish symbols and represents love, loyalty and friendship. It is believed that the Claddagh symbol was designed by Richard Joyce who hailed from Galway. Whilst fishing off the coast one day he was caught by pirates and sold into slavery in North Africa. He served an Arab goldsmith and learned the trade of jewelry making. During the 14 years of his slavery he pined for his sweetheart left behind in Galway so he designed the Claddagh ring which he hoped to present to her one day. After his release he returned to Galway and married his sweetheart!

As for the Celtic knotwork scholars have deduced that this fine art, always curved, sometimes symmetrical, and never ending were used to portray the Celts’ eternal beliefs. Celts believed that continuous re birth was necessary to achieve complete spiritual fulfillment - hence the never ending knots.

This pendant comes with an 18" silver chain and a stamp from the Assay Office in Dublin castle which authenticates that this pendant was lovingly handcrafted in Ireland.