Champion boxer Tyson Fury is preparing to make a £25,000 bid to buy the biggest gold crucifix chain in the UK - to save it from being melted down. The bling-loving Gypsy King stepped in after a fan asked for help to save it on social media.
Andreo Montanino bought it in memory of his late gran after coming across it in the window of a gold bullion dealer. He said he was devastated when he lost her 18 months ago, but couldn't face handing over the huge piece of jewellery to get melted down.
It is understood to be the largest in the UK and will now be auctioned off. Andreo, 33, wanted the two-time world heavyweight champion from Wythenshawe to buy it - and Fury now says he is willing to splash the cash on the nine carat, nine inch-long piece to stop it from being scrapped.
Fury took to social media after spotting Andreo's story. Weighing 1.5kg, Andreo snapped up the crucifix in Birmingham's iconic Jewellery Quarter as his gran was a devout Roman Catholic, reports The Mirror.
He hoped it would attract the attention of sports stars like Fury when he revealed he was selling it with Hansons Auctioneers next month. The boxer took to Instagram to say he would step in to make a bid of £25,000 when it goes under the hammer. Fury wrote: "Don't know who owns this but seen it online. I will give £25k for it to save it from the skrap (sic) pile."
Hansons Auctioneers shared the comment and added: "We're thrilled that the legend that is @tyson_fury may want to buy this magnificent gold cross and chain to save it from being scrapped."
Helen Smith, head of jewellery at Hansons, said: "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."
The hefty cross and chain, which together weigh around 1.5kg, will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on September 22. The 9ct gold belcher chain has 28 13mm links, one hallmarked ‘Sheffield 1997 JH & S’ and weighs 1,145gms in total.
Andreo, a senior buyer from Trowell, Nottinghamshire, said: “My nan would have hated the idea of the chain being scrapped. She was highly religious, a Roman Catholic who originated from Italy.
"She believed items like this, Jesus on the cross, were sacred and should be treated with the utmost respect. 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. That was three months ago. Now 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 featuring on a programme like MTV’s Cribs or being bought by a famous basketball or NFL player. I really hope it finds a good home because that’s what nan would have wanted.
"She lived in Peterborough and was heavily involved with the Italian community and the Catholic church. I remember her buying a statue for her church. Religious icons were important to her. 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."
Helen added: “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 round the neck of a man who excels in sport or an important celebrity. Gold is soaring in value at the moment so it’s a good investment piece too. It deserves to remain intact – not melted down for scrap. Let’s hope we can save it for posterity – and Andreo’s nan."
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