EARLY CHRISTIAN BRONZE CROSS
Eastern Roman/Early Byzantine
5th – 6th century AD
Bronze Latin Cross with Central Stone
(59 x 41 mm – 2.25 x 1.65 inches), weight 22.57 gm
This is a large and heavy bronze pectoral cross. The central axis is embellished by a large red stone cabochon, surrounded by four bronze bosses – together representing the stigmata or wounds of Christ. The back is unadorned. This cross retains its hanging loop and could be worn today. An impressive Christian artifact, well preserved, with lovely green and brown surface patina - formerly in a British collection.
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 the 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.
