Lot 108
Ancient Near East, Holy Land, early Byzantine Empire, ca. 7th to 8th century CE. A beautiful cast-bronze reliquary cross comprised of two crucifixes which fit together, a large tubular suspension hoop, and a bottom clasp. The obverse side depicts an incised image of Saint George with his Latin name shown above his head, his arms extended and wearing finely-detailed episcopal vestments. The reverse displays the standing Virgin Mary with her son Jesus Christ in front of her, with the Latin monogram names of both figures flanking their respective heads. The cross is able to be opened easily, and would have contained small prayer parchments or locks of hair inside. All components are covered in a lustrous brown patina, making it an attractive example from ancient Byzantium! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 2.25" W x 5" H (5.7 cm x 12.7 cm); 6" H (15.2 cm) on included custom stand.
The term "relics" is meant to encompass the 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 - and 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. This example is known as an "enkolpion" (literally "on the chest") because it was meant to safely contain such relics inside the cross which would have been worn on a daily basis.
Later, many of these objects were destroyed in times of religious conflict or strife; ones that are intact have often been passed down through generations of families. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has several of these items in its collection, including on display. See the small hinged cross reliquary depicting Christ and the Virgin on display in Gallery 303.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#133178
- Condition: Small loss to portion of lateral arm of reverse side and portion of bottom clasp. Age-commensurate surface wear, slight bending to overall forms of each half, some loosening to suspension hinge components, small nicks to hinge and both faces, with some fading to incised details, otherwise very good. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas and interior, and lovely brown patina throughout.
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