Early Christian Bronze Cross
Eastern Roman/Byzantine - c. 8th – 9th Century AD
Front: Decorated with “Cross Within a Circle” and “Magic Eyes”
Back: similar
Fine deep brown patina with green overtones.
(52 x 40 mm – 2 x 1 5/8”, weight 12.33 gm)
This is a handsome equal armed bronze pectoral cross. Each arm terminates in two lobes with circle designs. There is a central circle containing a cross, surrounded by 4 “X” symbols. The motif is repeated on each side. This attractive design is probably from the Byzantine Iconoclastic Era (ca. 726-843 AD), when human depictions were proscribed.
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.
This is an elegant and well-crafted artifact in excellent condition, retaining its suspension loop so that it might be worn today, 1100+ years after it was produced.
