Description:

Eastern Europe or western Asia, ca. 8th to 10th century CE. A bronze reliquary cross comprised of two crosses held together by hinges at top and bottom, intended to hold a relic. Each side is incised with a religious motif, one depicting Christ in life, the other a stylized cross in the form of leaves, possibly with flames emerging from their tips? Relics - physical remains of saints or objects associated with Christ, such as pieces of the True Cross, the shroud His body was wrapped in, or, mythically, the Holy Grail - held tremendous power in medieval Christianity. Reliquaries, objects designed to hold relics, were usually kept in cathedrals or churches, but some wealthy individuals were able to possess them. The less wealthy could purchase replicas of reliquaries, small reliquaries containing less precious items like soil from a holy site, or metal items produced as a form of souvenir from shrines. Inscribed in Greek. Size: 1.75" W x 3.75" H (4.4 cm x 9.5 cm)

Item has been XRF tested and shows composition of 77.05 copper, 11.45 lead, 9.68 tin, 1.163 iron - all consistent with bronzes of the proposed time period.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#182445

  • Condition: Intact and quite excellent. Details quite fresh.

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November 30, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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