Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross (Enkolpion)

10th-11th century AD

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Article code: 24-2407

Ancient Byzantine reliquary cross (enkolpion) composed of two halves joined by a hinge. This type is scarce and very rare to find complete (two halves together).

On one side it shows the Virgin Mary, standing in the orant prayer pose with hands upraised at the centre of the cross. On the ends of the arms are medallions with busts of the four evangelists holding their gospels. The four Evangelists are indicated on the cross by their Byzantine abbreviations next to their medallions: MT: Matthew (top), MP: Mark (bottom), Λ: Luke (left), I: John (right).

On the other half we see Christ wearing a colobium, crucified, between the diminutive figures of the Virgin Mary and St John; above his head a tablet with inscription and representation of the sun and moon; a two-line Greek inscription/abbreviation beneath each arm.

Inscription under Christ's right arm: ΙΔΕ Ο ΥΙΟΣ ΣΟΥ · ΙΔΟΥ Η ΜΗΤΗΡ ΣΟΥ, translated as: “Behold your son; behold your mother” (John 19:26–27).

Size: ± 102,8 x 55,7 mm

Condition: good and solid condition with smooth olive-brown patina. Hinge loop on the underside is broken. Signs of wear consistent with an ancient artefact.

Ref 1: for a similar example (one half only) see The Met museum Nr 2018.870.3

Ref 2: The British Museum nr 1985,0305.1 A. Garside, ed., Jewelry: Ancient to Modern (New York: Viking, 1979), no. 461 for a nearly identical specimen found in Palestine.

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Features and Specifications

Period	Byzantine
Category	Ancient Jewellery, Artefacts
Material	Bronze
Country	Byzantine Empire

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Ancient Religions & Christianity 20

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