Loading, please wait...

Byzantine Bronze Pendant Cross Byzantine Bronze Pendant Cross Byzantine Bronze Pendant Cross
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 1092

Byzantine Bronze Pendant Cross

6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.

1 1/4 in. (2.82 grams, 32 mm).

Expanding-arm type with integral loop. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Literature

Cf. Pitarakis, B., Les Croix-Reliquaires Pectorales Byzantines En Bronze, France, 2006, for discussion.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1092

Byzantine Bronze Pendant Cross

Sold for (Inc. bp): £72

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Byzantine Silver Bracelet Sections with Warrior Saint and Crucifixion
    Byzantine Silver Bracelet Sections with Warrior Saint and Crucifixion
    6th-7th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £936

    Two fragments from a military bracelet (brachiolion) comprising: a disc with double border of pellets, at the centre two standing figures of the two robbers flanking a stylised Stavrosis (crucifixion), composed of a stylised cross surmounted by the nimbate head of Christ; the other an ellipsoid panel and portion of the shank with pelta-shaped motifs flanking 'ICT' (IesouC Theou = Jesus son of God) legend, the panel with double border of pellets enclosing image of nimbate Saint George on horseback with scale armour and spearing the dragon with a long spear (doru). 9.67 grams total, 26 mm each



    Ex private Dorset, UK, collection circa 1980s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13042-248494.

    The importance of the depicted subject, the Stavrosis or Crucifixion, lies in its rarity. We know of very few representations of this subject in the early period of Christian art. Since the 6th-7th centuries, the iconographic type of military saints on horseback, Saint George, Saint Demetrios, Saint Theodore and Saint Sisinnios appear in the artistic milieu of the Middle East at the end of the 5th century-early 6th century AD. Among this iconography, the figure of Saint George, killer of the Dragon, stood out. The warrior saint was represented armed like a true Christian warrior of the Roman Empire, and the style of his armament here, also for comparison with similar images, points to a 6th-7th century dating, a period when the Eastern Roman Empire was still at the height of its power and exerted its influence over Eastern and Western Europe.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Bronze Ring with Saints
    Byzantine Bronze Ring with Saints
    12th-13th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £312

    Comprising a D-section hoop and a hexagonal bezel with two stylised figures flanking a cross. 5.33 grams, 25.53 mm overall, 21.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



    Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

    The bronze ring is compactly worked from a single bar. The ring link, hemispherical in section, broadens at the top, where the ring bezel was hammered. The decoration inscribed in the hexagon shows in the upper field a military saint, surrounded by lines running parallel to the hexagon, which form a further decorative element. The bezel of these rings was decorated with stylised images, very often military saints, who were asked for protection and blessing. They are usually represented as one or two human figures, schematically depicted, inscribed in a circle, decorating the bezel.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saints
    Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saints
    11th-12th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £65

    Comprising an expanding hoop and a rectangular bezel with two nimbate figures holding weapons; hoop split. 5.20 grams, 19.41 mm overall, 16.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)



    Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

    This Western Balkan category of rings gradually widens towards the rectangular bezel, which is slightly raised above the ring and flattened. The bezel is decorated with stylised images, often military saints, who were asked for protection and blessing.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list