Bearers of the Maltese Cross

Medium: Fiberglass

Dimensions: 35 in. x 24 in.

The cross firefighters wear on their helmets and uniforms is called the Maltese Cross.  Legend has it that during the Crusades, the Knights of Malta encountered a terrifying new weapon: fire. Their enemies threw glass bombs filled with flammable liquid at them, turning the battlefield into an inferno.  While many were burned, other Knights heroically rushed into the flames to save their brothers. These brave rescues earned them a reputation as the world’s first “firefighters.”  Because of this, the Maltese Cross became the official symbol for fire departments. Today, firefighters bear the Maltese Cross to show they are committed to the same values: bravery, sacrifice, and protecting others from fire.  My sculpture is of a knight of Saint John, a firefighter from the 1800’s and a modern-day firefighter, each bearing the Maltese Cross, showing how the cross has been borne throughout history. This sculpture is a small replica of the large sculpture I made for Fire Station #3 in Ogden Utah.

Finish may vary slightly from photo.