Ancient Christian Reliquary Cross
Byzantine Era: Circa 11th – 12th century AD
(Period of the 1st – 3rd Crusades)
(69 x 30 mm – 2.75x 1.2”
Weight: 38.67 gm)
This is a two part, hinged bronze reliquary cross, complete and apparently unopened. This fine cross portrays the crucified Christ with arms extended, wearing a loincloth and the image is repeated on the verso. The cross is composed of a lid and box rather than the more usual dual hollowed-out front and back. The reliquary was likely considered to contain a splinter of the True Cross. For other bronze reliquary crosses of this period, see the exhibition catalog “Kreuz und Kruzifix” (Diocese Museum of Friesing, Germany, 2005) – pgs 174-175. Excellent condition, with a dark green patina.
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.
