A Few Pieces During Production
BDSM crosses
BDSM crosses in S235 steel: the St Andrew's cross in two forms, and a five-point star. Each one is made to order and powder coated in the colour you choose, with welded rings on every arm.
A fifth arm rises above the head and turns the cross into a five-point star. Pentastar needs the most wall of the three and rewards a room with space around it, the closest thing we make to a piece of sculpture.
The St Andrew's geometry in its second form, drawn to read as architecture from across the room. Ask us which form suits your wall and the way you'll use it.
The St Andrew's cross at its plainest: two diagonals meeting at a centre plate. Atlas suits smaller rooms and lighter schemes, where a larger piece would crowd the space.
Two arms, or five points.
The St Andrew's cross is the familiar form: two diagonals meeting at the centre, with welded rings at each end. Atlas keeps it simple, and X Cross is its second form.
Pentastar adds a fifth point and turns the cross into something closer to sculpture. It needs more wall, and it rewards a room with space around it.
Measure the wall, the ceiling and the floor in front of it before you choose. Choose bespoke if none of the three fits your wall.
Every cross
What all three have in common
Atlas, X Cross and Pentastar differ in shape, but they're made the same way.
i.
S235 steel
S235 steel throughout.
ii.
Welded rings
Welded rings, finished in the same powder coat.
iii.
Freestanding or wall-mounted
Freestanding or wall-mounted options. Ask which suits your room.
iv.
Your colour
Obsidian, Oxblood, Gilt, Chalk or Forge Clear, or any RAL colour on request.
v.
Flat-packed
Ships flat-packed with instructions.
vi.
Made to order
Made to order. Current lead time 8–14 weeks.
Full dimensions on request. Contact us before you order.
Anatomy of a cross
The parts of a cross
- 01
Arms
Two diagonals in S235 steel tube.
- 02
Centre plate
Where the arms meet.
- 03
Upper rings
Welded rings on the upper arms, for the wrists.
- 04
Lower rings
Welded rings on the lower arms, for the ankles.
- 05
Centre rings
Above and below the centre plate.
- 06
Rear brace
On freestanding versions.
- 07
Base frame
On freestanding versions.
- 08
Feet
Where the base meets the floor.
A saint, a flag and a frame
The St Andrew's cross takes its name from the apostle Andrew, who by tradition was crucified on a diagonal cross rather than an upright one. The same X became the saltire on the Scottish flag. In BDSM furniture the name describes the shape and nothing more, and you'll see the same piece called an X cross or an X frame.
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That shape is what makes it work. Two diagonals meeting at the centre hold a person upright with arms and legs apart, and the open geometry leaves the body accessible from front or back. It's a simple form, and the one most people picture first.
How a cross is used
A cross is usually the centre of a scene rather than a place to rest. Rings near the end of each arm hold wrists and ankles, and the person restrained can face the cross or stand with their back to it. Because it's upright, it suits shorter scenes; for anything longer, a BDSM bed lets someone lie down.
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Facing the cross puts the back, shoulders and legs within reach. Standing with the back to it is more exposed and more open to eye contact, and it asks a little more of the legs. Many people use both in the same scene, and the centre rings take a waist strap.
One upright form against a wall, and the room is used differently.
X cross or five points
Atlas and X Cross share the classic St Andrew's geometry in two forms. Atlas suits smaller rooms and lighter schemes; X Cross is drawn to hold its own in a larger room.
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Pentastar adds a fifth arm that rises above the head. It changes the silhouette more than the use, giving a cross that reads as a star from across the room. It needs the widest and tallest wall of the three.
Sizing a cross to your height
A cross fits a person in two places: how far the wrists reach up and out, and where the ankles sit. Tell us your heights and we'll advise. If the two people who'll use the cross are quite different heights, tell us both.
Freestanding or wall-mounted
Freestanding or wall-mounted options are available. Ask which suits your room. A freestanding cross can stand anywhere in a room and move if you rearrange it; a wall-mounted one takes up less floor.
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Have a qualified tradesperson assess the wall and fit any wall-mounted piece.
Measuring the room
Measure the height and width of the wall, the ceiling above it and the floor in front of it. A cross needs open floor around it so people can move on every side you'll use, and the ceiling has to clear the top of the arms with room to spare. Full dimensions on request. Contact us before you order.
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Check light switches, radiators and sockets on the wall too, since the arms can cover them.
Before anyone is restrained
Agree the scene first: what will happen, what won't, and how either person can stop at any point. Keep release quick, check in often, and never leave a restrained person alone. Our journal covers negotiation, safewords and aftercare, and for hands-on technique we'd always point you to an experienced educator.
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Choose cuffs that are wide and lined, with fastenings that open in a second, and keep safety shears within reach. Standing restrained is more tiring than it looks, so plan breaks and have water and somewhere to sit close by.
Finish and placement
A cross is the most visible piece in most rooms, so its colour matters. Choose from Obsidian (black), Oxblood (red), Gilt (gold), Chalk (white) or Forge Clear (clear coated steel), or any RAL colour on request. A dark finish against a pale wall makes it the statement of the room; a finish close to the wall colour lets it recede until it's needed.
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Light it from the side or below rather than from above. A low lamp throws the shape of the arms across the wall behind, and it's kinder to the person on the cross than an overhead light in their eyes.
Delivery and lead times
Made to order. Current lead time 8–14 weeks. We deliver to the UK, US and EU. Everything ships flat-packed. Delivery cost is shown before you pay.
When to go bespoke
Choose bespoke if none of the three fits your wall, or you want a shape of your own. Commissions use the same steel and finish as the collection, and you see drawings and a fixed quote before anything is made.
Written by the Sanctum Domina team
Safety
Not designed for suspension.
Never use any piece to hold a person's weight off the ground. Follow the assembly and fixing instructions, check the piece before each use, never leave a restrained person alone and keep safety shears within reach. Use is at your own risk; nothing on this site is medical or safety advice.
Have a qualified tradesperson assess the wall and fit any wall-mounted piece.
BDSM cross questions
What is a St Andrew's cross?
An X-shaped frame with rings near the end of each arm, named after the diagonal cross associated with Saint Andrew. Atlas and X Cross are both St Andrew's crosses.
How much does a BDSM cross cost?
Atlas is £2,022, X Cross £2,172 and Pentastar £3,590, in any colour. Delivery cost is shown before you pay.
Freestanding or wall-mounted?
Freestanding or wall-mounted options are available. Ask which suits your room.
How much wall space does a cross need?
Full dimensions on request. Contact us before you order.
Will it suit someone tall or short?
Tell us your heights and we'll advise.
What kind of wall can I fix it to?
Have a qualified tradesperson assess the wall and fit any wall-mounted piece.
Are restraints included?
No, so you can choose cuffs that suit you.
How long does a cross take to arrive?
Made to order. Current lead time 8–14 weeks.
Is assembly included?
Every cross ships flat-packed with instructions.
How do I clean a steel cross?
A soft cloth and mild soapy water, then dry it straight away. The care guide covers the rest.