The carving shows an anchor cross. This was a common way of showing the cross before Christianity became legal – it was probably made before the year 300.

Why an anchor? Anchors were used in early Christian art. In a way it shows a cross but not explicitly and so perhaps it partly hid the owner’s faith. Also, an anchor itself can be seen as a sign of hope.

Here we have an anchor for our soul

Letter to the Hebrews 6:19

On both sides of the cross are fish – with their tails at the top. Again, the fish was a Christian sign as each letter of the Greek word for fish gave the start of the words:

Jesus Christ Son of God Saviour