Ancient Christian Bronze Cross
Byzantine Era: Circa 10th – 11h century AD
(Period of the 1st Crusades)
88 x 62 mm – 3.87 x 2.5 inches Weight: 29.52 gm
This is very attractive large bronze cross complete with suspension loop. It has an elaborate profile with three knobs at the terminus of each arm, possibly signifying the Holy Trinity. The cross is enhanced with a dot and line design around the edges and five circles for the Stigmata or Five wounds of Christ” Both sides of the cross are similarly decorated. Excellent condition, with a chocolate brown patina..
An identically shaped tenth century bronze cross is pictured as catalog number 41 in the exhibition catalog “Byzantium and Jerusalem”, Pilgrim Treasures from the Hermitage Museum, exhibited 2005-2006.
By the 5th and 6th centuries, the Cross had replaced the Chi-Rho as the standard emblem of Christian religious devotion. Its meaning transcended that of the simple monogram to visually recall the crucifixion. Crosses were worn by individuals from every social stratum, from the elaborate bejeweled golden cross of the patriarch to the simple crosses of the common man. The word crusade, which is derived from Latin crux (cross), is a reference to the biblical injunction that Christians carry their cross. Crusaders wore a red cross sewn on their tunics to indicate they had assumed the cross and were soldiers of Christ. Many also wore a pectoral cross around their neck.
