Early Christian Bronze Cross

Eastern Roman/Byzantine

c.  6^th – 9^th Century AD

Design Portrays the Stigmata or Five Wounds of Christ,

Back is undecorated

Fine dark patina with green overtones.

(78x50 mm – 3 x 2 inches)

Weight 9.82 grams

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.

Pendant crosses with this design were popular in the Holy Land during the Byzantine Period. This example, found in Jordan, is more elaborate than most. For a nearly identical cross of the same time period, (also lacking the central gem,  see exhibition catalog  “Kreuz und Kruzifix”of the Diocese Museum of Friesing, Germany, 2005, Nr II.4.1. For other ancient crosses with stigmata see the exhibition catalog The Israel Museum (Jerusalem) catalog “The Cradle of Christianity,” p142.

This is a substantial and well-crafted early Christian pectoral cross in excellent condition, retaining its suspension loop, central stone missing.