Lot 16
**First Time At Auction**
Ancient Near East, Holy Land, Byzantine Empire, ca. 10th to 12th century CE. A fascinating leaded brass cross with flaring arms that terminate in pairs of circular knobs. The cross is incised with roundels of religious icons, including Christ at the center flanked by Greek letters HC and XC (abbreviation for Xristos) and surrounded by a chain-like and stippled border, a winged and haloed archangel encircled with a stippled border on each of the flanking horizontal arms as well as the lower arm where that archangel is followed by an image of the Virgin and Child. Replete with green and russet hued patina, this is a beautiful example from ancient Byzantium! Size: 11.75" W x 14" H (29.8 cm x 35.6 cm); 17.875" H (45.4 cm) on included custom stand.
The Byzantine Empire was established in the 4th century CE when the Emperor Constantine, also known as Saint Constantine, Christianized the Roman Empire and pronounced the city of Constantinople in Byzantium as the capital. The visual culture of this era demonstrates a synthesis of classical Greek, Roman, and Christian influences. This cross was made at a time when tremendous effort and innovation went into creating art with Christian themes.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#157133
- Condition: Loss to the upper arm as shown. Minute nicks to peripheries and expected surface wear commensurate with age. This said the surviving incised imagery is still vivid. The leaded brass has developed a wonderful green and russet patina over the ages.
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| $300 | $999 | $50 |
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| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |